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Heating & Air Conditioning Home Repair

No air coming through my vents

Christopher Burkard

4 years ago

Hello, all. The vents inside my house are not blowing any air at all. I first noticed this after turning on the A/C and realizing an hour later that I was still hot. I checked outside and saw that the A/C unit was covered in ice. I let it thaw overnight but I still have the issue. As it turns out, the blower inside my house which pushes air through the vents is not running at all. This is true when I am using either A/C or heat. Is it possible that I could diagnose and fix this myself with minimal tools and experience, or do I need to call a professional?

Featured Answer

tigerdunes

4 years ago

last modified: 4 years ago

you might want to check breaker panel for a tripped circuit...however I would still call an experienced pro...

TD

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Comments (7)

cat_ky
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
It sounds like your blower motor may have failed. If so, it will require a new motor. Been there, done that last summer.
Christopher Burkard thanked cat_ky
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toxcrusadr
4 years ago
Probably best to know something about motors and pulleys and bearings to be able to do this.

First I would check the breaker as noted above. If it's tripped, there will be a reason for that. It could be a one-time thing but chances are something is broken or on the way out.

So, before turning it back on, check that the blower (probably a big squirrel cage) turns by hand. If not, the motor bearings may have seized up. If it turns but not easily, it may need lubricating. Some squirrel cages will have oil cups at either end of the shaft. If the motor bearings are the ones that are stiff, it may be time for a motor anyway, even if it will turn. It could have tripped the breaker drawing too much current and turning too slowly.

Replacing a motor is moderately difficult and requires some wrenches and an ability to read and understand the motor info plate and get a suitable replacement (at an HVAC or motor supply shop). And to hook up wires safely.

You'll have to decide if you are up for it.
Christopher Burkard thanked toxcrusadr
DavidR
4 years ago
Wait, your OUTDOOR COIL is iced up? That can happen in winter when you're using a heat pump for heating and the defrost isn't working. If it's happening in summer, something is VERY wrong. You need to get an HVAC specialist there, stat. Shut the system down until then. Open the breakers.
Christopher Burkard thanked DavidR
kevinande
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
DavidR

There are several reasons why the condensing unit and coil can freeze up in cooling mode. A very common reason is no airflow over the evaporator. Which clearly deems to be the issue here. The situation in heat mode is generally the defrost board not functioning properly. Although I do agree he does need to refrain from using the system and call a pro before there is irreparable damage to the compressor.
Christopher Burkard thanked kevinande
DavidR
4 years ago
There are several reasons why the condensing unit and coil can freeze up in cooling mode. A very common reason is no airflow over the evaporator.

Thanks for explaining that. I would have expected the evaporator to freeze up, not the condenser., but what do I know? I guess ignorance is the reason that I don't work on HVAC systems. :\
Christopher Burkard thanked DavidR
User
4 years ago
What kevinande said...
Christopher Burkard thanked User

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