If you have a central air conditioning system, then your system has two fans – one of which is located inside and blows cool air into your home and one which is located outside and blows air over the condenser coils and works to release heat from the inside of your home.
Both of these fans are integral components of your air conditioning system, so when one or both fan stops working, your air conditioning system won’t be able to cool your home effectively.
AC Fan Not Working? Here’s Why
You may wonder: why is my AC fan not working? Here are some of the most common reasons why and what you can do to fix the problem and restore comfort to your Florida home.
1. The Unit Isn’t Receiving Power
Sometimes the reason your AC fan is not working doesn’t have to do with the fan but rather the power. If there is a power issue then the fans might not receive power to function properly. There are lots of things that can prevent the fans from receiving power. For example, certain components of your air conditioner can overheat and cause the circuit breaker to trip. When this happens your air conditioner will shut down.
Because this is a potentially easy fix, we recommend that homeowners always check the circuit breaker first since to rule out this issue. All you need to do is locate the circuit breaker and see if something caused it to trip. If this is the case, simply flip the switch. This should restore the power.
2. The Disconnect Box is Damaged
There is a small box next to the condenser unit known as the disconnect box. Within the disconnect box, some fuses regulate the supply of energy. When the power surges or goes out in your home, the fuses can blow and cause the disconnect box to stop working. Any damage to the disconnect box can prevent your air conditioner fans to stop working. If the disconnected fan is broken, we recommend calling your local HVAC technician to inspect it and determine if it needs a repair or to be replaced.
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3. There is a Broken or Loose Belt
Older air conditioning systems often have belt-powered fans. Thanks to general wear and tear (especially in older air conditioning systems), sometimes the belt can break or become loose. This can stop the fan from spinning as it should. Although your local HVAC technician can repair a broken or loose belt, this is often a sign that your air conditioning system should be replaced.
4. There is a Problem with the AC Contactor
Your air conditioning system has a contactor which is an electrical switch that controls the compressor and condenser fan motor. Over time, it’s common for the contactor to wear out. When this happens, it restricts the outside fan from working as it should. If you suspect this is the problem, we recommend calling your local HVAC technician to inspect the contactor. If it is indeed malfunctioning then they will be able to replace it.
Related: How to Tell if Your AC Contactor is Bad or Failing
5. There is a Problem with the AC Capacitor
The capacitor is another integral part of your air conditioning system. The small but mighty device stores energy that is used to provide power to your air conditioner’s fans – both indoors and out. If the capacitor goes bad, it can cause the fans to stop spinning.
Related: How to Replace a Bad AC Capacitor
6. The Primary Motor Control is Disabled
the primary motor control is located inside of the condenser. This magnetized switch turns on and off with signals sent by your thermostat. Because this switch is controlled by a magnet, if the magnet goes bad then the switch won’t work. As a result, the indoor and outdoor AC fans won’t turn on and neither will your AC. This is all part of normal wear and tear that air conditioning systems experience and is a relatively easy fix that you’re trusted HVAC technician can address.
7. The AC Fan Motor is Burnt Out
Fan motors are constantly working to power both the indoor and outdoor fans. This means that this component undergoes lots of stress (especially if your HVAC system isn’t maintained regularly). If the motor is burnt out then you will need it replaced by a professional HVAC technician as soon as possible. In some scenarios it may make more sense to invest in an entirely new air conditioning system rather than replacing the motor – but your HVAC technician will be able to advise you.
Related: How to Check if Your AC Fan Motor is Bad
Professional AC Maintenance and Repair by Sansone
At Sansone, we have an entire team of skilled technicians. Whether you have issues with plumbing, air conditioning, heating, or ventilation, we can help. From repairs to installations, contact us today for all of your AC needs in South Florida.
Broward: (954) 800-2858
Palm Beach: (561) 701-8274
St. Lucie: (772) 879-5656