The purpose of the motor is
to move harmful gases including carbon monoxide out of your home through furnace vents
or the chimney. The fan gets rid of poisonous gases from the previous heating cycle. The motion from the motor prevents the furnace burners from becoming clogged with soot.
How much does it cost to replace a furnace inducer motor?
A draft inducer motor costs
$200 to $1,500
to repair or replace. A simple fan wheel might cost $20 in parts with another two hours in labor. Replacing the entire unit runs $600 to $1,500, depending on the model and brand.
What causes inducer motor failure?
Most inducer motors failures are simply attributed to
the older age of the furnace
. In most cases, the internal bearings wear out and since the unit is a sealed unit, there is no way to repair the original motor. Instead the unit is simply replaced with a new one.
What does furnace inducer do?
A draft inducer is a fan that’s
located inside of your furnace near the heat exchanger
. ... By turning on before your furnace ignites its burners, the draft inducer is able to clear out any combustion gases that might be lingering in the heat exchanger from the previous heating cycle.
How does an inducer motor on a furnace work?
The inducer motor
turns on and draws combustion air into the furnace
. This helps to make sure the gas is burning efficiently. Next, an ignitor will either glow or spark to ignite the gas that starts flowing. This gas ignites into flames while the hot air and obnoxious gases are drawn into the heat exchanger.
How do I know if my inducer motor is bad?
One of the first indications of a bad draft inducer motor is likely to be the sound it makes. A failing inducer motor
may create a noise shortly after a heating cycle begins
. This could be a tapping noise, or a humming or whirring sound.
How long does a furnace inducer motor last?
Let’s also not forget what and where the device gets installed. Is it part of a home heating system or on a commercial property furnace system? Even though the manufacturer states their blower motor will last two decades, we advise all clients to expect a
10-20-year life
span due to age, use, and proactive maintenance.
Why is my inducer motor noise?
A draft inducer (or vent blower) is the most common problem on a gas furnace or
boiler to cause a noticeable noise
. ... The small motor mounted within the housing can begin to make noise when there is buildup on the wheel (such as sulfur or creosote) or when the motor is close to the end of its usable life.
Does the inducer motor get hot?
Is just the inducer motor running or is the furnace actually firing ? If the furnace is running and producing heat that motor will be red hot as it’s processing exhaust gases.
Perfectly normal
.
Why are draft inducer fans necessary in today’s furnaces?
The temperature difference between the air entering the furnace and leaving the furnace. Why are draft inducer fans necessary in today’s furnaces? ...
To separate the combustion gas from the circulating air while transferring heat from the combustion gas to the circulating air
.
How often should furnace be replaced?
How Often Should You Replace Your Furnace? The average furnace lasts
approximately 18–20 years
, though the actual number depends on the furnace itself and the level of care put into maintaining it during its lifespan.
How do you lubricate a furnace inducer motor?
Spray a thin film of silicone lubricant
on the motor shaft where it enters the blower wheel bearings. Reinstall the service panel, then turn on the circuit breaker to power the furnace.
How does a combustion furnace work?
A forced-air furnace heats your home through a
heating cycle
that looks like this: ... The flames heat up a metal heat exchanger and exhaust out of the flue. The heat exchanger transfers its heat to the incoming air. The furnace’s blower forces the heated air into the ductwork and distributes it throughout the home.
Edited and fact-checked by the FixAnswer editorial team.