Are you in need of a blower motor replacement?
You’re probably wondering how much that will cost you, right? Well, the cost depends on a lot of factors, but we’ll give you a generic range to help you budget. The average cost to replace an AC blower motor on in Jacksonville ranges from $500 to $1800+.
We’ll discuss the 2 price factors that determine the cost of a blower motor replacement:
- Parts
- Labor
First, let’s take a look at what your central AC’s blower motor actually does.
What does a central AC blower do?
Your central AC blower, also known as the “indoor air handler fan”, is responsible for: pulling warm air into the AC system and pushing cool air through ductwork and back into your home. (So yes, it’s pretty important.)
Note: To be more specific, the AC blower is controlled by an electric motor which is housed inside the blower/fan. So when we say “blower motor”, we are referring to the two parts as one complex component.
The blower motor sits inside the “air handler”, also known as the indoor unit.
The important thing to remember is that your furnace and your AC share the blower motor. For instance, if you’ve been told that your blower motor is bad and needs to be replaced, this is technically an AC and a furnace repair in one, which helps put the overall blower motor replacement cost in perspective. Speaking of cost, let’s take a closer look at the 2 main factors that will affect the cost of your blower motor replacement.
Two blower motor replacement replacement cost factors
Two factors dictate how much you’ll pay to replace your indoor blower motor: parts and labor.
Cost Factor #1: Parts
Your AC blower motor is actually comprised of 3 main parts (listed below from least to most expensive):
- The fan. Sometimes called the “squirrel cage”, this is the part that rotates to distribute air throughout the home.
- The electric motor. This motor provides electrical power to the fan.
The capacitor. The capacitor is a small cylindrical device attached to the side of the blower that helps the motor to run more efficiently.
Sometimes, only one of these components needs replacement, other times all 3 need to be replaced. It just depends on the extent of the damage.
The size of your AC.
Your blower motor must be sized to be able to match the capacity of your overall AC system, so the larger your AC, the larger your replacement blower motor, and larger blower motors cost more.
AC are sized in “tonnage”, which refers to how much heat it can remove from your home in an hour. Residential ACs are typically anywhere from 1 to 5 tons. Are you not sure what size AC you have?
What kind of blower motor do you need?
There are 3 different kinds of blower motors (from most to least expensive): Single-speed, Multi-speed, and Variable-speed.
The important thing to understand is that if you’re only replacing the blower motor, you don’t have a choice in the type of blower motor you get. For example, if you currently have a multi-speed AC unit, you’re getting a multi-speed blower motor. What is the difference between these types of blower motors? It all comes down to how fast the motor rotates the fan. For example:
- Single-speed blower motors can only work at 1 speed: HIGH (100%)
- Multi-speed blower motors can work at up to 3 speeds: LOW (30%), MEDIUM (70%) and HIGH (100%)
- Variable-speed blower motors can ramp up and down according to the level of cooling needed and can hit any speed between 0% to 100% Do you have a single-stage AC system but want to upgrade to a multi-speed or variable-speed blower motor?
Whether the parts are “OEM” vs “non-OEM” OEM (original equipment manufacturer) parts are typically more expensive than non-OEM parts.
Why? OEM parts come straight from the manufacturer and were actually designed to work with your specific AC system. These parts have also been tested for strength, safety, and durability. Keep in mind that using non-OEM parts for your AC repairs could void your AC warranty. So always ask your tech whether they provide OEM or non-OEM parts.
How much you pay for labor depends on:
How many quotes you get
When you contact a professional to come out and inspect your blower motor for a quote, they will charge a “diagnostic fee”, sometimes called a “service charge” or “trip charge”. This fee can range from $50 to $150 and covers the cost for the professional to come out, inspect, and diagnose the problem. This charge does not cover the actual repair or replacement. The good news is that most professionals will waive this fee if you choose them to perform the repair or replacement. The bad news is that if you’re getting several quotes, you’ll have to pay a separate diagnostic charge for each quote.
The time of year
Here in Jacksonville, most HVAC companies will raise their labor prices during the hot summer months.That’s because techs are usually in high-demand during these times (ACs are more apt to break down when they’re overworked).
Accessibility of the blower motor
The location of your air handler affects how much you’ll pay in labor costs for your blower motor replacement. For example, if your blower motor is located in a hard-to-access place like in the attic or in a basement, you’ll pay more for labor. If the air handler is in an easy-to- reach location, such as in an interior closet, you’ll pay less for labor.
The professional you choose
Typically, higher-quality companies/techs charge slightly higher prices for repairs or replacements. What you’re basically paying for is more experience, higher skill and a job that’s done correctly the first time. With that being said, when vetting higher-priced HVAC techs/companies, make sure that they:
- Have plenty of experience in blower motor replacements
- Can offer 2–3 referrals from past customers
- Offers upfront estimates in writing
Do you need a quote for your AC blower motor replacement?
Our fully-stocked trucks are located in neighborhoods all over the Jacksonville metro area AND we offer free service calls with repairs.
