If you have to replace your furnace's blower motor every winter because it keeps breaking down, keep reading. Although an old blower motor can break down from wear and tear, age and mechanical issues, you shouldn't have to replace a new blower motor every year. There might be something wrong with other parts of the furnace that damage your blower motor or interfere with its functions. Before you replace your blower motor again or call a furnace repair technician, try the easy repair tips below. 

Check the Limit Switch

The thermostat in your home controls the temperature and operations of your furnace. But there's a separate mechanism inside your furnace called the limit switch, or fan switch, that keeps the furnace from reaching temperatures that can damage its housing or the parts inside it. When temperatures get too hot inside the furnace, the switch automatically shuts off, which tells the blower motor to stop operating.

The blower motor pushes heated air through the appliance and out to your home. When the limit switch isn't working properly, it can't tell the motor blower to stop releasing air. The blower motor will stay on until it overheats or shuts down on its own. If the motor overheats and shuts down repeatedly, it eventually stays off. You may think that the blower motor is damaged beyond repair because it won't come on, but it may not be. The limit switch may actually be set wrong.

The switch generally operates in two settings: auto and on. The switch should be completely pushed in when it's in the "on" mode and completely pulled out when it's in the "auto" mode. You can check and see if the switch is positioned correctly with the tips below:

• Turn off your furnace, then locate the limit switch behind the appliance's back paneling. The switch resembles a small silver box and sits right above the burners. 
• Look for a small white button on the box.
• Using your fingers, pull the button out until it's in the "auto" position. 
• Close up the paneling.

Turn the furnace back on and wait 30 minutes for it to heat up. If the motor cycles off and on properly, you fixed the issue. If the motor stays off, move to the next step.

Lubricate the Blower Motor

The motor can use up its oil and not work properly when it stays on all the time, which dries out and damages the wires and parts inside it. To see if a lack of lubrication is the issue, follow the steps below:

• Turn off the furnace and wait 2-3 hours for it to cool down.
• Remove the front paneling from the furnace, then locate the blower motor, which sits at the bottom of the furnace.
• Look on the front of the motor to find four small ports or holes.  
• Place four drops of oil into each port. 

Replace the paneling over the furnace, then turn it on. You may want to wait at least three hours to see if the motor comes on properly. If the motor does stay off, you can try one more thing to see if you can solve the problem. You can wipe down the burners.  

Wipe Down the Burners

Sometimes the burners build up with fuel residue and clog up, which prevents the burners from lighting up and holding their flames. To wipe down the burners:

• Turn off the furnace and wait three hours for it cool down.
• Remove the back paneling to access the burners.
• Use a soft, dry rag to gently glide over the burners to remove soot and dirt. Water can damage or rust the metal parts of the burners.
• Replace the paneling, then turn the furnace back on.

If the blower motor comes on, you solved the issue. If the blower motor still doesn't come on, contact a furnace repair technician right away. You may have severe problems with the furnace you can't take care of yourself.

For more information about your blower motor, contact a specialist for services or visit a site like http://www.homesmartcolorado.com/.