One of the most important parts inside your furnace is the blower motor. It is what pushes warm air through the vents and spreads heat around your home.

When the blower motor gets dirty, you may notice that your furnace is not operating efficiently. That is when the motor likely needs some cleaning or oiling. It helps your furnace run more smoothly and keeps your energy bills lower.

Below, this furnace maintenance company in Bolingbrook, Illinois is going to explain how frequently your blower motor should be cleaned or oiled.

What does the blower motor even do for your furnace?

The blower motor pushes the warm air through your ducts and sends it to every room in your home. Without it, the air from your furnace would not move anywhere.

When the blower motor is clean and well-lubricated, the air flows evenly and the furnace keeps your home warm without using extra energy. But when dust and dirt build up around the motor, the motor must work harder to move the same amount of air. This translates to higher energy bills and more wear on your system.

Over time, that buildup can also lead to overheating. When the motor overheats, it can trip safety switches or even damage other furnace parts. You may start to notice signs like weak airflow from your vents, rooms that never quite warm up, or rattling sounds coming from the furnace area.

This is when it’s best to call your local furnace maintenance company in Bolingbrook, Illinois. A trained heating technician can clean off any buildup and make sure the motor is running at its best.

When to schedule a blower motor cleaning?

For most homes, cleaning the blower motor once a year is usually enough. The best time to do it is during your yearly furnace service, before winter.

But if you have pets, it is recommended to have the blower motor cleaned every six months instead of once a year.

When a professional furnace maintenance company handles the cleaning, they will carefully remove the blower assembly, clean the fan blades, and check that the motor spins freely. They also make sure the wiring and connections are secure and that nothing looks damaged.

Trying to do this on your own can be risky. The blower fan is delicate, and bending the blades or pulling on the wrong wire can cause damage. You could even end up unbalancing the fan, which makes the motor noisy and inefficient. It is best to leave this job to a qualified furnace technician.

What about oiling the motor?

Whether your blower motor needs oil depends on the type of motor your furnace has. Some newer furnaces use sealed motors that can run for years without needing any extra oil. They are closed off to keep dust and dirt out, so there is no place to add lubricant. If that is the kind of motor you have, you don’t need to worry about oiling it at all.

Older furnaces, on the other hand, can have motors that need regular oiling. These models have small oil ports, where a technician can add a few drops of lubricant. 

If you don’t know what type of blower motor your furnace has, you shouldn’t guess. It is best to call a professional furnace maintenance company in Bolingbrook, Illinois.

They will check the manufacturer’s information, inspect the motor, and decide immediately if it needs oil. If it does, they will use the correct lubricant and apply just the right amount.

Looking for a furnace maintenance company in Bolingbrook, Illinois?

Are you searching for a trusted furnace maintenance company in Bolingbrook, Illinois? If so, look no further than Hearthstone Heating & Air Conditioning. Our furnace technicians will clean and lubricate your blower motor so your furnace operates at its best. Contact us today at (630) 435-9800 to schedule an appointment.