Furnace Blower Wheel Out Of Balance [2 Easy Solutions]

Finding a furnace blower wheel out of balance can be the reason for your headache. But we will fix it for you.

In this article, you will get to how to balance a furnace blower wheel with only 3 steps. You will get an alternative method as well in case the first one doesn’t work. So keep on reading and get to fixing it right away.

Furnace Blower Wheel Out Of Balance [Solution: 1]

Fixing the blower wheel wobble is actually an easy task if you know a perfect way. To do the blower wheel balancing, you just have to take the blower wheel off from its place, clean it, and place it back on with all the screws tightly placed. 

But before getting to the main process, collect the following items:

• Screwdriver
• Handheld Vacuum cleaner
•  Paint Brush
• Toothbrush

Once you have them near your reach, here’s what you have to do:

Step 1: Remove The Blower Wheel From The Furnace

The first thing you have to do is remove the blower wheel from the furnace. It can be simply done with a screwdriver. Remove the screws holding the furnace blower in its place. After removing all the screws, the blower wheel will come off easily.

Step 2: Clean The Furnace Blower Wheel Properly

There are 3 stages of properly cleaning the blower wheel. Follow these methods accordingly,

• Use a vacuum cleaner first to remove all the big chunks of dirt
• Wipe the blower wheel with a big paintbrush thoroughly to ensure proper cleaning
• Finally, take a toothbrush to clean each and every corner of the blower wheel

You can do a bit of lubricating the blower wheel if needed before proceeding to the next step.

Step 3: Place It Back On

Now put the furnace blower wheel back where it was and make sure it is tightly screwed. A loose screw is the most common reason behind the blower wheel wobble. If you get these 3 simple steps right, then you are sure to have a perfectly functioning blower wheel.

However, this method can be used for air conditioner blower wheel replacement as well. Just remove the blower wheel and put on a new one as instructed here. That will be all.

Adding Blower Wheel Balance Weights (Alternate Solution)

If the previous method doesn’t solve the issue with blower wheel balancing, we have another technique for you. 

In this process, you will be adding blower wheel balance weights to the blower fan. This will help the fan to run consistently without any quivering. So if it seems like your blower motor is out of balance, here’s what to do,

Step 1: Do The Measurements

Firstly, you have to know how to measure the blower wheel. Well, it is very easy. You just have to measure the longest distance between the two sides of the blower wheel ring. Measure the blower this way and keep the number in mind. You will need it.

Step 2: Locate The Position To Weld The Weight

Now you will have to purchase some weight for the fan. Find them and bring them to your workstation and see where they need to be placed.

Here the diameter you measured will come in handy. The further you will weld from the center of the blower motor, the heavier it will get. You can determine the position by tapping the weight on the fan first. Tape the weight on the fan blade and turn it to see if it’s perfectly balanced. Now mark the position.

Step 3: Weld The Weight

Once you have found the perfect position for your weight, you have to weld it there. You can easily do it even if you have zero experience in welding. Here’s how to do it:

• Prepare the position and the weight using acetone or a similar alkaline solution
• Place the weight in the perfect position
• Put the tip of the tungsten electrode on the point where the weight and the surface of the fan’s blade met
• Run the welder
• Repeat on every side of the fan

Make sure to put on safety goggles and gloves before starting this procedure. And with this step, you are done balancing your furnace blower wheel. If you follow our approach, it shouldn’t take you more than an hour to complete it. 

FAQ:

Can a furnace blower wheel go bad?

Yes, even with proper maintenance, a furnace blower will go bad in about 30 years.

How much does it cost to replace a blower wheel?

Repairing a blower wheel can cost anything between $100 to $300.

How do you know if your blower wheel is bad?

Signs of a bad blower wheel are weak or zero airflows from the vent, excessive electricity consumption, weird noises, and overheating.

What causes a blower wheel to go bad?

A blower heating can go bad mainly due to inconsistent electricity supply, clogging of dirt, excessive amp draw, and lack of maintenance.

What does a bad blower motor sound like?

A bad blower motor sounds something similar to light slapping noise.

Can I turn on the furnace fan without heat?

Yes, you can turn on the furnace fan without heat setting it to Auto function.

Final Verdict:

If your furnace doesn’t work properly you may find the furnace blower wheel out of balance. Though this can be detrimental to your furnace, you can easily solve this issue by following the methods discussed above.

These methods will not fail to prove effective. If you have any further queries, then leave them in the comment box below.