A condenser fan motor is an important component of your HVAC system that determines the performance the condensing unit. It performs the vital task of cooling the hot refrigerant gas from vapor back into a cool liquid. The part comes in a variety of designs including the present day popular, single speed system and ultra-efficient split systems such as found in ECM condenser fan motors.
Every homeowner should be aware of the crucial role of the condenser fan motor in order to properly maintain the units. As is the nature of most innovations there are certain problems commonly associated with HVAC systems, but rare are cases where the cause is a condenser fan motor failure.
However, your system may malfunction due to some of these minor technical issues including;
1) If you have a new system that is overheating you may probably have a faulty condenser fan motor. Check for the validity of your warranty and return the product to the manufacturer for a free replacement at no extra charge.
2) If you attempt to spin the condenser fan blades without avail, while the system is switched off it is likely your motor has locked and will need a replacement.
3) Overheating may also result from poor ventilation where the fan blades are not installed in the correct position leading to lack of proper airflow.
4) Always check for manufacturer component specifics to ensure you replace the correct size of motor for your broken AC condensing unit. Mismatching the sizes of the motor may cause the unit to overheat.
5)A condenser fan motor that is not rotating its fan blades in an AC condensing unit or a heat pump is likely due to an electrical fault. It may be associated with a low ambient regulator, relay or a capacitor.
6) Overlapping of the condenser fan motor may happen as a result of installing incorrectly sized fan blades or installation of the wrong start run capacitor.
7) Poor maintenance such as failure to lubricate the motor and negligence to keep the condensing unit clean may also result in overheating of your AC system
A malfunction will lead to your air conditioning not performing its functions of cooling the room effectively. Ensure you always follow operation guidelines regarding your HVAC system. Adhere to the set of temperature range allowed for optimal performance of condenser fan motors.
Check inscription on the side of the motor name tag.
It is easy to tell when the motor is overheating by just placing your hand close to the top surface of the unit. If it feels warm to touch then your system is functioning normally. However, if it feels excessively hot and burns there is probably a problem in the unit that requires being fixed urgently. For longevity of your condensing unit, it is advisable to have any of the above problems urgently repaired by a qualified HVAC professional.