My Trane X80 Furnace Blower Is Overheating

Overheating Blower

• The blower in your furnace is what actually forces heated air into ductwork so that it can be distributed throughout the home. Under certain conditions, these blower motors can overheat, causing not only an interruption in your furnace's operation but a potential safety hazard as well, since blower motors can easily catch fire. Preventing this hazard requires careful maintenance and a knowledge of what can cause a blower motor to overheat in a Trane XL80 or in any other furnace.

Possible Causes

• There are many possible causes for an overheating blower motor. Accumulated dust, dirt and other materials in and around the motor can prevent air from circulating throughout the motor and cause a buildup of hot air on the inside of the motor. Degradation of electrical connections to the motor can also cause the motor too operate with too little or too much voltage, which in turn causes overheating. Wear and tear on motor bearings can cause friction to build up inside the motor, contributing to overheating.

Preventing Overheating

• Simple preventive maintenance can help avoid blower motor overheating altogether. Clean the motor according to the manufacturer's instructions on a regular basis and keep the motor oiled if it has oil ports. Before the cold season begins in your area, inspect the wiring that goes to the motor and replace any that is frayed or damaged. Also change your air filters regularly. While dirty air filters alone cannot cause blower motor overheating, they can contribute to other conditions in the furnace that make motor overheating more likely.

Other Considerations

• If you are not particularly experienced in HVAC maintenance, do not hesitate to contact an HVAC specialist. Specialized equipment and experience allow HVAC professionals to more easily diagnose a furnace that may be prone to overheating. Additionally, given the extreme danger of a blower motor fire, the cost of hiring the specialist is far outweighed by the peace of mind of knowing that your furnace is safe to use.