How to clean ac blower wheel without removing?
AC blower wheel cleaning costs $125 to $250 on average. The blower wheel is located inside the air handler or furnace and moves air through the HVAC system. Dirt and grease buildup slows down the wheel's rotation, making it work harder and reducing airflow.
- Step 1: Open the Air Conditioner Housing. First, shut the power off from the air conditioner. ...
- Step 2: Locate the Blower Motor and Blower Wheel. ...
- Step 3: Use Compressed Air. ...
- Step 4: Vacuum Up the Debris. ...
- Step 5: Use a Cleaning Solution. ...
- Step 6: Let Everything Dry, and Assemble.
AC blower wheel cleaning costs $125 to $250 on average. The blower wheel is located inside the air handler or furnace and moves air through the HVAC system. Dirt and grease buildup slows down the wheel's rotation, making it work harder and reducing airflow.
Most blower wheels need to be pulled and cleaned every 3-5 years, depending on usage and the home. A dirty blower wheel can negatively affect the airflow in your HVAC unit, causing your heat exchanger to overheat and AC coils to freeze. It will also reduce the efficiency of your blower motor and your entire system.
If the blower wheel get dirt or grease built up, it can slow down the wheels rotation and reduce the amount of air your blower motor is capable of moving through your home. Any dirt on those blades will cause your blower motor to work harder. This draws more amperage and pushes less air.
Having a dirty blower wheel will make your HVAC system work harder and, if not addressed, eventually cause your AC system to stop working. A dirty blower wheel will also contribute to a high electric bill. Damage caused by a dirty blower can be costly to fix– but can be prevented too!
A blower wheel is designed to keep air moving in and out of your HVAC system, and after years of use, dirt can build up on the blades. Most blower wheels need to be pulled and cleaned every 3-5 years, depending on usage and the home.
Take a toothbrush and brush in between each fin to remove the solid matter impacted in the wheel. Take care not to lose or displace the balancing weights. Blow wheel out and shake off the dust.
Dust is highly insulating and can increase the operating temperature of components, which could cause them to overheat and fail. It also increases resistance on the fan and forces the motor to work much harder. Safe to say, blower cleaning can save you money on electrical bills and repairs.
While there are a number of commercially available coil cleaning solutions on the market, air conditioner coils can be cleaned with a solution of a mild household detergent and water. The detergent and water mix is applied to the coil using a low-pressure sprayer.
How often should you clean AC coils?
Cleaning the Coils
Ideally, air conditioning maintenance should be performed twice a year, though once is sufficient for some systems. Between visits, the condenser coils can be cleaned by removing large debris and rinsing the coils with a hose, after shutting the power off.
More specifically, systems that include blower motors have a lifespan of roughly: Air-Source Heat Pumps: 10 to 12 years, with a maximum of 15 years or more. Furnaces: 10 to 20 years, depending on maintenance schedules. DX Air Conditioners: 15 to 20 years, depending on maintenance schedules and manufacturer quality.
Blower motors are designed to last just as long as your furnace itself, anywhere from 10 to 20 years. Just as with any HVAC system, the better maintained and serviced your equipment is by experienced HVAC technicians the longer it will last and the fewer repairs you'll face.
Blower motor replacement typically takes two to three hours to complete, at a charge of $70 to $175 per hour. That brings the cost of labor to $185 to $500, depending on the difficulty of the repair and the cost of labor in your area.
Baggett Heating and Cooling explains why you need to keep them clean. A blower wheel is designed to keep air moving in and out of your HVAC system, and after years of use, dirt can build up on the blades. Most blower wheels need to be pulled and cleaned every 3-5 years, depending on usage and the home.
