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A Dirty Blower Wheel is a Pain in the Wallet!

If you notice your gas furnace is short cycling (turning on and off frequently), the culprit may be a dirty blower wheel. This common problem can lead to higher energy costs and expensive repairs. The expert technicians at MTB Mechanical diagnose these issues frequently through routine maintenance and share more about how you can prevent them from happening and lengthen the life of your HVAC system.


What is a blower wheel anyway?

A blower wheel has blades that are specifically designed to push air through the duct system into conditioned spaces. Your heat exchanger depends on cooler air moving across it to keep it from overheating, while your air conditioner coil depends on warmer air to keep it from freezing. When these air exchanges can not happen successfully because a dirty blower wheel is impairing air flow, your system will fail.


Why is a dirty blower wheel such a problem?

Any dirt on those blades will cause your blower motor to work harder. This draws more amperage and pushes less air. When as little as one tenth of an inch of dust accumulates on your blower wheel, it can reduce your furnace’s efficiency by 20%.

Another problem that arises from this dust accumulation is your heat exchanger running hotter. This will ultimately lower the lifespan of your furnace. If a blower wheel is allowed to get really dirty, your furnace and air conditioner may not operate at all.


How can I prevent these problems from happening?

There is something you can do to help prevent your blower wheel from becoming dirty in the first place. Change your air filters regularly. Regular air filter changes can be tough to remember but with MTB’s free air filter reminder program you’ll get an email letting you know when it is time to change out your filters.


How can a technician help?

During routine maintenance , a technician will inspect your blower wheel. If it is dusty, it should be cleaned. MTB’s Priority Comfort Agreement customers receive two annual system checkups, one on the heat cycle and one on the cool cycle. If your blower wheel is dirty, it will be detected during this routine inspection. Catching the problem early can save you from an expensive breakdown, lower your power bills, prevent system failure and lengthen the life of your equipment. Have an MTB technician assess your system by requesting an appointment or calling (704) 847-5607 .