Keeping Your AC Running
As summer hits, many areas are hitting temperatures in the 90s and 100s. Crazy weather from north to south, east to west, and here in Riverside, California, having a working air conditioner is important. This means that the compressor and AC blower need to be in top working order.
What is the use of a blower in AC?
The HVAC AC blower sends the conditioned air throughout the home after the system cools or heats the air. It forces this conditioned air through the duct system, usually found in the attic, and out vents in each room of the house.
What is the function of the blower?
AC blowers are devices or equipment that increase the air or gas speed that passes through equipped impellers installed within the HVAC system. The main purpose AC blowers are used for the flow of air or gas that is required for aspirating, cooling, conveying, exhausting, ventilating, etc. The industry term for AC blowers is Centrifugal Fan.
What is the difference between a blower and a fan?
The term AC blower is often referred to as the blower fan, but there is a difference. An AC blower has a marginally higher pressure increase than a fan. The definition of pressure rise is the pressure discharged over the inlet pressure. AC blowers are used when the system resistance is too high for a fan.
Many of us will use a fan in a bedroom to keep cool on hot summer nights. The fan creates forced convection cooling of the skin by moving air across the body at a sensible velocity. In general, a fan is a device used to move larger amounts of air with a minimal increase in pressure.
Do AC and heat use the same blower?
The cooling and heating system in your home has several components that work hand-in-hand, providing your home the comfort you appreciate. It makes you wonder if they do two different things, how do they work together, right? Here’s a step-by-step summary:
- The air conditioner evaporator coil removes heat and humidity during the summer
- The condensation line carries the excess moisture to the floor drain
- The compressor circulates the refrigerant through an evaporator coil and then ejects the heat outdoors
- Cooled or warmed air is supplied to your home
- The thermostat sets the desired temperature
- The air is returned to the furnace for air conditioning
- Humidity is added to the water
- The air is then cleaned then recirculated into your home
Is a blower a pump?
To the everyday homeowner, it is confusing how AC blowers, compressors, fans, and pumps are related when it comes to air conditioning. A pump works on a liquid instead of gas and raises the pressure of the liquid. A pump doesn’t have the developed breakdown in pressure ratio that AC blowers, compressors, and fans do for gas functions.
Because each of these devices has a different requirement for their performance, pressure rise is relative to the flow rate is different for each one.
What happens when a blower motor goes bad?
Power to the AC blower motor comes from the blower motor resistor. If the resistor fails or has any issues, the blower motor power is cut off. Without any power, the blower motor can’t produce the needed air pressure. This means there isn’t any air to come through the vents, and ultimately, the air conditioner isn’t working.
Can you run the AC without a blower?
You can, but experts recommend not doing that very often. Occasionally running the fan without the AC or heat on will help circulate the air throughout the house. It can clean and freshen the air, a bonus for those with allergies. However, it isn’t the most efficient thing energy-wise, and doing it on a continuous basis will shorten the lifespan of the AC blower and fan up faster.
How do I know if my AC blower is bad?
Four common symptoms that will of a bad blower motor:
- Low or no airflow: A classic indication of a bad AC blower motor is when there is restricted or no airflow coming from the air vents.
- Strange noises: AC blower motors will make different sounds, and those sounds will depend on the issue. A grinding, vibration, high pitched noise is common for an AC blower motor going out.
- Circuit breaker tripping: An AC blower motor that is seized up will trip the circuit breaker.
- Burning or hot smell: A bad AC blower motor can overheat, causing a burning hot smell to come through the vents.
In Closing – Blowing In The Wind
With all the components and devices, it takes to make your air conditioner work, just what is a blower machine? These are commonly used in industrial and manufacturing facilities and are typically referred to as industrial blowers.
This device enhances the airflow effectively and efficiently in a workspace. This type of blower contains airfoils, an electric motor, impeller, and airfoils. The purpose of industrial blowers is to provide a permanent addition to increase airflow while removing contaminants, dirt, dust, and other particulate matter.