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Furnace blower motor repair & replacement restores strong, consistent airflow through your ductwork. Before we talk motors, we check the capacitor—it fails more often and costs way less to replace.
Your furnace makes heat, but the blower moves it. When the blower fails, you get no airflow—or weird noises that wake you up at 3 AM.
Furnace runs but no air blows. Motor won't start—usually a dead capacitor or failed motor windings.
Air comes out but feels weak. Could be weak motor, dirty blower wheel, or failed capacitor reducing motor power.
Squealing, grinding, or screeching from furnace. Worn motor bearings—they don't last forever (15-20 years typical).
Motor hums but won't spin. Classic bad capacitor symptom—$180-$220 fix instead of $550-$800 motor replacement.
Blower won't shut off. Usually not the motor—check thermostat fan switch, relay, or limit control first.
System shuts off on high-limit switch. Without airflow, heat builds up and the furnace protects itself by shutting down.
Here's what some companies won't tell you: The capacitor fails way more often than the motor itself. It's a $40 part. We check it first because it's the right thing to do—not because it makes us more money.
The capacitor gives the motor the electrical "kick" it needs to start. When it dies, the motor hums but won't spin. Sounds like a bad motor—but it's just a $40 part.
Motor bearings wear out after 15-20 years of heating/cooling cycles. When they fail, you get grinding noises, overheating, or the motor won't run at all—even with a new capacitor.
Our diagnostic process: We test the capacitor first (takes 2 minutes). If it's good, then we check motor amp draw and bearings. You pay for diagnosis, not guesswork.
A $400 motor in a 10-year-old furnace makes sense. A $400 motor in a 22-year-old furnace? Maybe not.
Makes sense when:
Cost: $550-$800
Consider when:
Cost: $4,500-$7,500
Best when:
Cost: $180-$220
We'll give you honest options. If your 18-year-old furnace needs a $600 motor, we'll tell you about replacement too. If it just needs a $40 capacitor, we won't upsell you on a motor. That's how we've been doing business since 2008.
Not all blower motors are created equal. Here's what you're paying for—and whether it's worth it.
Permanent Split Capacitor. These run at one speed—full blast when on, off when off. Simple, reliable, and been around since the 1970s.
Lower Cost
$350-$600 for parts vs $600-$900 for variable speed
Simple & Reliable
Fewer electronics to fail, easier to replace
Higher Energy Use
Uses about 600-800 watts when running
Noisier Operation
Full-speed startup every time
Best for: Standard furnaces, budget-conscious repairs, older homes where efficiency isn't priority
Electronically Commutated Motor. These adjust speed based on demand—like cruise control for your furnace. More efficient, quieter, but pricier.
Energy Savings
Uses 200-600 watts—saves $200-$300/year on electric bills
Quieter & Smoother
Gradual ramp-up, less noise, better comfort
Better Air Quality
Can run continuously on low for filtration
Higher Upfront Cost
$600-$900 parts vs $350-$600 for PSC
Best for: High-efficiency furnaces (90%+ AFUE), homes with continuous fan settings, or if you want maximum comfort & savings
The 2008 take: If you have a 90%+ efficiency furnace, it probably requires a variable speed motor—no choice there. If you have a standard 80% furnace, a PSC motor works fine and costs $300-$500 less. We install what your system needs, not what makes us more money.
Blower motor replacement isn't a 15-minute job. Here's what actually goes into it.
Test capacitor, check motor windings, measure amp draw. Find the actual problem.
30-45 min
Remove blower assembly, disconnect wiring, unbolt motor from blower wheel.
45-60 min
Mount new motor, reattach blower wheel, reconnect wiring, reinstall assembly.
60-90 min
Run furnace through full cycle, check airflow, verify proper operation.
15-30 min
Variables that affect time: Furnace location (cramped closet vs open basement), motor type (PSC vs ECM), blower wheel condition (may need cleaning), and whether we have the right motor on the truck.
Capacitor replacement: Much faster—30-60 minutes total including diagnosis and testing.
Upfront pricing—no surprises. Here's what it actually costs in Chicago in 2025.
Most common repair—try this first
Standard single-speed motor
Variable speed motor (high-efficiency furnaces)
Labor includes diagnosis, disassembly, motor installation, blower wheel reattachment, wiring, reassembly, and testing. Not just slapping in a motor—we make sure it works right. Parts pricing reflects Chicago market rates for quality OEM or universal motors that actually last.
Motor replacement costs $350-$600 for parts plus $200 labor, totaling $550-$800. However, we check the capacitor first—often the actual problem at only $180-$220 total. Variable speed ECM motors cost more ($600-$900 for parts). We diagnose before quoting.
If just the capacitor failed, repair it ($180-$220). If motor bearings are worn and the furnace is 15+ years old, replace the motor ($550-$800). If the whole furnace is 20+ years old and inefficient, consider full furnace replacement. We give you honest options based on your situation.
Blower motor replacement typically takes 2-4 hours depending on furnace accessibility and motor type. Capacitor replacement takes 30-60 minutes. We carry common parts for same-day service.
PSC (single-speed) motors run at one speed—full blast or off. Variable speed (ECM) motors adjust airflow for efficiency and comfort, use less electricity, and run quieter. ECM motors cost more ($600-$900 vs $350-$600) but can save $200-$300/year on energy bills.
Blower motor bearings typically fail after 15-20 years of heating and cooling cycles. Variable speed motors may last longer (20-25 years) due to less mechanical stress. Capacitors fail more often—every 5-10 years—so we check those first.
Classic symptom of a failed capacitor. The motor gets power but doesn't have the electrical "kick" to start spinning. This is a $180-$220 repair, not a $550-$800 motor replacement. That's why we test the capacitor first.
We'll check the capacitor first—honest diagnosis saves you money. Same-day service when we have the parts on the truck.