Maintaining the optimal performance of your Goodman furnace is crucial to ensure both comfort and energy efficiency in your home. A critical aspect of this is adjusting the blower speed. To have your furnace work at its maximum capacity, you need to adjust it to the right blower speed. In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of the Goodman furnace blower speed adjustment.
All Goodman furnaces ship as high-speed cooling and medium-speed heating. The installer must adjust blower cooling and heating speed as needed (about 400 cfm airflow per ton when cooling is desirable). Goodman furnace blower speed can be adjusted to receive temperature rise within the range specified on the rating plate.
How Blower Speed Affects Comfort and Energy Efficiency
Blower speed, often referred to as furnace fan speed, plays a pivotal role in maintaining a comfortable indoor environment. Think of it as the heart of your HVAC system, regulating the flow of conditioned air throughout your home. Setting at the appropriate speed ensures the even distribution of heated or cooled air, preventing hot or cold spots.
Additionally, adjusting the blower speed on the Goodman furnace can significantly affect energy efficiency. The system might consume excess energy if the speed is too high, leading to higher bills without proportional benefits.
Why would you adjust the blower speed on a Goodman furnace? There are many reasons you may want to change the blower speed of your furnace, such as:
- To improve airflow. If your home feels stuffy or stagnant, increasing the blower speed can help to circulate the air more quickly and evenly.
- To reduce noise. The blower motor is one of the loudest components in your air handler, so reducing the blower speed can help to make your home quieter.
- To save energy. Running the blower motor at a lower speed can help to reduce your energy bills.
If you find your home is a bit cold, you may want to increase the furnace blower speed to improve airflow. You can also decrease your blower speed to quiet the unit if your furnace is too noisy.
How to Adjust the Blower Speed on Goodman Furnaces
Your user manual will be your best friend during this step. It provides specific instructions for your furnace or air handler model. Changing the blower speed typically involves adjusting jumpers or dip switches on the control board. These small components determine the speed at which the blower fan operates.
If you know what you are doing, it is very easy to adjust the speed of your Goodman furnace. There are only a few steps required.
- Turn off the power source that is connected to the furnace blower. This is a safety precaution to prevent you from getting shocked.
- Access the control board.
- Identify the blower speed wires. There will be three wires, one for each speed: high, medium, and low. You need to find the wires that determine blower speed inside your furnace.
- You have to switch the wires to the blower motor. The wire’s color will determine the speed settings that the motor will run at. Typically the colors are:
- White = neutral speed
- Red = low speed
- Yellow = medium speed
- Black = high speed
- Attach the wire that is articulating the speed you want. Use a voltage tester to make sure that the power is off before you disconnect the wires.
- Turn the power back ON.
That’s it! You’ve successfully changed the blower speed on your Goodman furnace.
After making the adjustments, it’s time to verify that everything is in place. Double-check the positions of the jumpers or switches against the instructions in the user manual. Securely reattach the access panel to the air handler.
Give the system some time to stabilize. Sometimes, it takes a while for the changes to take full effect. Observe the airflow in different rooms and listen for any unusual noises. If you notice a significant improvement in even airflow and noise reduction, you’re on the right track.
Here are some troubleshooting tips if you have problems after changing the blower speed:
- If the blower motor does not start after changing the speed wires, check to ensure the wires are properly connected.
- If the blower motor starts but the airflow is incorrect, check the thermostat’s speed setting.
- If you are still having problems, contact a qualified HVAC technician.
Tips for Improving the Airflow in Your Home
In addition to the blower speed, there are a few other things that you can do to improve the airflow in your home:
- Change the filter regularly. A dirty filter can restrict airflow and reduce the efficiency of your air handler.
- Seal any air leaks around windows and doors. Air leaks can let in hot or cold air, making your HVAC system work harder.
- Get your air handler serviced regularly. A qualified technician can clean and inspect your system and ensure it operates properly.
In addition to changing the blower speed, you can adjust the airflow by changing the filter. A dirty filter can restrict airflow and reduce the efficiency of your air handler. The manufacturer of your air handler will recommend how often you should change the filter.
If you have a variable-speed blower motor, you can adjust the blower speed to the exact level you need. This can help to improve comfort and save energy. Variable-speed blower motors are more expensive than single-speed blower motors, but they can save you money on your energy bills in the long run.
Contact a qualified HVAC technician if you are uncomfortable changing the blower speed. A technician can change the blower speed for you and ensure it is done correctly.
Following these tips, you can keep your Goodman furnace and air handler running smoothly and efficiently for many years.
Final Words
A Goodman furnace blower speed adjustment is generally not a DIY task. It should be done by a professional. They know the required airflow needed within the system.
Adjusting the blower speed is a temporary fix and could cause damage to the motor if the main issue is not addressed. A properly working furnace needs to be sized correctly and installed correctly to get the proper airflow.
I hope this helps you adjust the Goodman furnace blower speed. Be sure to check out the wiring diagram in the manual.
