Furnace Inducer Motor Replacement Services from Flow Right Plumbing, Heating, Cooling and Electric
A furnace inducer motor replacement is a tough project that involves one of the most important functions of your furnace. It is also a necessary task if you want your furnace to operate at all, much less at optimum efficiency. If you have just received the bad news that you’re in need of a draft inducer motor replacement, here are a few things you should know before beginning the process.
Contact us for furnace inspection services
Pueblo: (719) 569-7604
What is a Furnace Inducer Motor?
A draft inducer motor is a specialized fan located inside of your furnace. When the furnace first turns on, the motor engages before the heating process begins and blows out any remaining fuel from the furnace’s last operation. This potentially “bad air” is vented safely from the house, where it dissipates outside.
When enough air pressure is introduced from the blower to prevent the air pressure safety switch from triggering, the burners ignite and the furnace begins to operate. While the furnace is in operation, the draft inducer blower supplies fresh oxygen to the burners to keep them fueled for heating.
A draft inducer motor has two functions on a furnace.
- Safety: Your inducer motor is so important that it turns on before the furnace and runs for about 30 seconds to one minute before the system can kick on. Removing extraneous gasses is extremely important when it comes to helping your furnace run safely and effectively.
- Efficiency: Expelling excess gas keeps your furnace cleaner. Supplying your burners with a constant source of clean oxygen allows them to perform at maximum efficiency. In turn, your furnace will receive a constant supply of cleaner air that flows through the heat exchanger and through the vents to your home or building.


Signs You Need a Inducer Motor Replacement
How do you know if your furnace draft inducer motor needs to be replaced? The answer, fortunately, is usually pretty obvious. Either your furnace is making a lot of noise … or it’s not working at all.
Sign #1: A Noisy Furnace
If your furnace is making a brand-new set of strange noises, your inducer blower motor may be experiencing a breakdown.
- Vibrating or thumping: The inducer motor is unbalanced or experiencing an issue with the fan wheel. This is a serious problem because an unbalanced motor can quickly become a projectile-flinging disaster that damages the inside of your furnace.
- Buzzing, whining or humming: Damaged parts within the motor can cause the fan to slow down or even stop working. If the motor is running and the fan is not, the buzzing and whining you hear is a sign that the motor is damaged or dirty or that parts inside the motor are broken or wearing out.
- Clicking or tapping: A dirty fan is usually the culprit when the inducer motor in your HVAC system begins making a tapping sound. The buildup of dirt or debris hits the side of the housing in repetitive motion, resulting in a persistent, repetitive sound.
Sign #2: A Dead Furnace
There are many, many reasons your furnace could stop performing. That is why it’s so important to involve a professional when troubleshooting furnace problems. However, a dead furnace that won’t kick on can be a sign that your inducer motor has failed. Furnaces built after enhanced efficiency regulations were put into place by the government have a special switch that shuts the furnace off when the inducer motor is not producing enough air for your heating system. If your inducer is slow, weak or stopped altogether, it may be triggering the shut-off.
Common Causes of Inducer Motor Failure
What causes an HVAC inducer motor to fail? The underlying problems can vary.
- Your furnace is old: Furnaces have an expiration date. They are really only designed to last a maximum of 20 years. An inducer motor should have a lifespan of 10-20 years, which means that it may quit before your furnace does. When that occurs, you can assess the overall age of your furnace and decide whether you want to schedule an inducer motor replacement or install a brand-new furnace.
- Wear and tear: Your furnace’s inducer motor has a lot of responsibility in ensuring the safe performance of your furnace. It even starts before the furnace. It also runs the entire time the furnace is in operation. As you can imagine, that is a lot of wear and tear that can degrade your inducer motor over time. If you live in a colder climate, your furnace
- Your inducer motor has defects: A defective inducer motor is usually discovered early in the life of your furnace. This is beneficial to the furnace owner because it will fall under the manufacturer warranty. Sometimes, however, a defective motor can operate for years before the problem finally triggers a breakdown. Check your warranty information to find out if you are still in your repair or replacement window.
Why Choose Flow Right for Repair or Replacement of Your Inducer Motor?
Flow Right Plumbing, Heating, Cooling and Electric is a professional-grade, family owned and operated provider of critical residential and commercial home services in Southern Colorado. Our mission is to serve every city with award-winning customer service and we pride ourselves on having the experience and industry know-how to get the job done right the first time.
- Licensed HVAC technicians
- Contractor A & B Licenses
- Plumbing and HVAC technicians continuing education programs
- Background checks and drug testing
- Over 25 years of industry experience
- Fully Insured
- Bonded
- Best of Pueblo
- Colorado Companies to Watch
- Best Workplaces
- BBB Excellence in Customer Service Award
FAQs About Inducer motor Replacement
Should I replace my own inducer motor?
We do not recommend that home or business owners replace their own inducer motor. Consider for a moment that one of the chief jobs of your inducer motor is to safely expel lingering fuel from your home before your furnace starts a new cycle. Do you feel confident in your installation skills when it comes to working with flammable gasses? Safety isn’t the only factor. Will performing the work yourself void the warranty? Are there restrictions around working on home HVAC in your city? These questions highlight why you should stick with a licensed professional when replacing a bad inducer motor.
Can my furnace work without an inducer motor?
No, a failing inducer motor will cause your furnace to shut down altogether. New furnaces use a pressure switch to measure the output of your furnace inducer motor. If the air pressure produced by the motor is weak or nonexistent, it will trigger a complete shutdown of the furnace.
How much does an inducer motor replacement cost?
The cost of your furnace inducer motor replacement will vary depending on the parts and labor required. Your best bet is to schedule an inspection or service call and request an estimate for the job.
Should I just replace my furnace instead of the inducer motor?
If you have an older furnace, it may be better to roll the expense of repair into the cost of purchasing and installing a new furnace. Your HVAC technician can tell you if they think the remaining life of the furnace is worth the cost of a motor replacement.
Choose Flow Right for Your Furnace Inducer Motor Replacement
Flow Right is a leading provider of licensed HVAC services in Pueblo and Colorado Springs. Our experienced technicians have the knowledge and skill to accurately troubleshoot your inducer motor issues and help you make a decision on replacement. Call us today to schedule an inspection or to discuss options for getting your furnace back up and running safely.