What Does a Carrier Furnace Inducer Flue Motor Do?

The Flue Inducer Motor

• In a nutshell, the flue inducer motor in your Carrier furnace system is responsible for powering the blower, “inducing” it to pull heated air from the heat chamber. The inducer motor then pushes the air upward through the flue vent and out into the home in 30-second bursts, the first of which can be considered as a “test.” The first burst ensures there is no blockage in the vent so that subsequent air blasts make it out of the vent and into the home.

Filter Maintenance

• The inducer flue motor is fairly sensitive. When that first burst meets resistance -- an example of this would be an old furnace filter that is clogged with lint and debris -- warm air is pushed back down through the flue. The sensor then sends the signal that the path isn’t clear, and the inducer stops doing its job. This is why home heating experts recommend swapping out old filters for new ones yearly.

Motor Burn-Out

• Your Carrier furnace is a delicate system; and when the filter is clean, the inducer motor will push air through the blower because of the thermostat, which regulates the home’s temperature. Over time, this strains the system and will cause the inducer motor to burn up, and the furnace won’t heat properly, if at all. With a clean filter, most motors will last up to 10 years or so, along with proper maintenance.

What to Do

• Replacing a burnt-out inducer flue motor isn’t an extensive repair, but it’s best to leave the job up to an authorized Carrier repair technician or a licensed HVAC technician. In some situations the motor may not be working but instead may need a new pressure switch, which is again another task for a repair technician as delicate wiring needs to be attached properly or else the system won’t work at all. You may be able to troubleshoot a bad switch by ensuring all connecting wires are attached and soldering any loose connections, but this will only provide a temporary solution.