The furnace inducer motor is another safety feature on modern furnaces designed and installed after 1991. A failing inducer motor will cause not enough draw to pull the exhaust gas and flames, which means; the furnace will not start. It will also allow the heat exchanger to get hotter and increase the opportunity for the furnace to go off on the limit.
In this post, you will learn what the furnace inducer motor does, how to troubleshoot the problems and how to identify when it needs replacement.
What Does a Furnace Inducer Motor Do?
When a furnace begins a new cycle, the inducer motor is the first thing you should see kick on. 120 volts are applied through the wires coming from the control board. This starts the furnace inducer motor for up to 60 seconds before anything else even happens.
The inducer motor pulls the flames and exhaust gasses up through the heat exchanger to reduce the risk of flame roll back and carbon monoxide leaking into the airflow. When your thermostat calls for heat, the furnace first checks the draw from the inducer motor before firing up and heating your home.
What Causes a Furnace Inducer Motor To Fail?
Specific problems can arise with a furnace draft inducer. Most inducer motors failures are simply due to the older age of the furnace.
Other causes of furnace inducer motor failure include:
- Faulty pressure switch.
- Faulty capacitor.
- Overheating.
- Dirty Filter that causes vent blockage.
- Rusty or unbalanced motor wheel.
- Worn internal bearings.
- Broken fan blades.
- Loose parts.
Signs Of a Bad Inducer Motor Furnace
One of the first indications of a bad furnace inducer motor is the sound it creates. A bad inducer motor creates a loud noise shortly after a heating cycle begins. Another indication is when you turn on the furnace, but no hot air comes out! These signs may mean that your furnace inducer motor has failed.
Other signs of a bad inducer motor include:
- The furnace starts and then stops suddenly.
- Loud noises shortly after the heating cycle begin. That noise could be such as a hissing, loud hum, or screeching.
- Blinking LED lights showing a furnace error code.
Furnace Inducer Motor Replacement
When it comes to furnace inducer motor replacement, steps will vary depending on the furnace model and brand. The below process is just a brief overview of the average gas furnace model.
The draft inducer motor is usually located in the furnace chamber’s upper-left area.
Steps to replace a draft inducer motor on a gas furnace:
- Shut OFF the gas line to the furnace and turn the power OFF.
- Remove the panel covering your furnace.
- Locate your furnace draft inducer, usually found in the upper-left corner.
- Remove the old inducer motor.
- Install the new inducer motor furnace.
- Return back the furnace cover and turn the power to your furnace back on.
The Replacement Cost
The Average cost to replace furnace inducer motor assembly is $450 – $1,100. The total cost will vary depending on the furnace brands, labour, and any other part that may need to be replaced too.
A new inducer motor assembly costs $100 to $500. The price will be much higher if you have a premium furnace brand. The below table shows the average furnace inducer motor cost by brand.
| Brand | Assembly part price |
|---|---|
| Trane | $100 – $750 |
| Lennox | $100 – $750 |
| Armstrong | $110 – $350 |
| Bryant | $150 – $450 |
| Carrier | $100 – $600 |
| Goodman / Amana | $75 – $300 |
| Heil | $75 – $500 |
| Rheem / Ruud | $150 – $450 |
| York | $150 – $450 |
Conclusion
The furnace inducer motor helps the furnace run safely and efficiently. It is a vital component for a furnace to do its job of heating a home. Troubleshooting the issues and replacement of this part are sometimes best left to a professional HVAC technician.
