If your furnace is fairly modern, chances are it will have a furnace inducer motor. Read on to find out what your inducer motor does and how you can identify when it, or other furnace parts, needs to be replaced to keep your furnace running safely and smoothly.
What does a Furnace Inducer Motor Do?
You may be aware that your furnace inducer motor has a very important purpose. But what exactly does an inducer motor do?
- A furnace inducer motor is essentially a motor-driven fan, with an electrical box for power connections and metal housing.
- Your motor should move air through the furnace and heating vent pipes.
- 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.
- Cleaner air means a safer and more efficient furnace.
How Do I Know If the Draft Inducer Motor Has Gone 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.
If the unit will turn on but the blower motor is not turning on, there are a couple of ways to check if the draft inducer motor has gone bad.
- Turn off the power and use a voltage pen to check no power is on before reaching into the unit.
- Take the furnace doors off and reach in on the blower motor side (usually to the right), touch the blower motor and check if it is hot. This could indicate that it has been trying unsuccessfully to start and suggest an issue with the draft inducer motor.
- Next reach towards the squirrel cage (typically to the left) taking care not to be harmed by the sharp fins. If you try to spin the squirrel cage, does it spin freely? If not, this could be another sign that your draft inducer motor has gone bad.
Furnace Draft Inducer Motor Replacement
When it comes to furnace draft inducer motor replacement, steps will vary by furnace, so the below is just a very brief overview of the process. Watch the videos mentioned in the text below for specific instructions on how to replace a Lennox Inducer Motor and how to replace a Rheem Inducer Motor.
- Turn off gas to your furnace and turn off power to the furnace.
- Remove the panel covering your furnace.
- Locate your furnace draft inducer, usually found in the upper-left corner.
- Remove the inducer motor. Details of this process will vary depending on the type of furnace you are working on. Watch our video on how to replace a Lennox Inducer Motor or our video on how to replace a Rheem Inducer Motor for a more detailed step by step guide on these particular inducer motor brands.
- Align and replace the inducer motor
- Replace your furnace cover and turn the power to your furnace back on.
Your inducer motor is an essential furnace part that should not be ignored. Ready to replace your furnace inducer motor? Shop for furnace motor parts with Repair Clinic to get started.
Also, you can shop Trane replacement parts and other heating & cooling parts with us.