Inducer Blower for furnace
An inducer blower is definitely one of those parts you don’t think about until something has gone wrong with it. The inducer blower assembly is basically a small motor powered by electricity, a fan, an electrical box to allow connections and a metal sleeve that surrounds the fan assembly. You’re probably not surprised that a fan is a part of the inducer blower (other than that “B” word in there!), because you can actually hear the inducer fan whirring in the 30-60 seconds before your furnace roars to life each time it runs.
Why is there an inducer blower in a gas or oil furnace?
While other checks and balances are being performed by your system during its start-up time (pre-purge) the draft inducer blower is in effect clearing the heat exchanger of any remaining gas leftover from the previous cycle. In this sense, it aids in venting your boiler or furnace. This allows for cleaner air at the time of combustion. The draft inducer blower is also responsible for the quantity of air actually moving through the heat exchanger. This helps to move air efficiently and provides a more controlled method for air movement through the blower housing. As such it helps determine the efficiency of the system more precisely. In terms of drafting, a draft inducer blower provides sufficient draft (just like the chimney in your fireplace that provides a draft) for clean and safe combustion. This clean combustion relieves burners from getting clogged with soot over time and creates a more balanced pressure in the combustion chamber.
Problems with a draft inducer?
Specific problems can arise with a furnace draft inducer. For instance, if the blower motor has worn out, you will most likely hear it tapping or whizzing at higher frequencies and at louder volumes. Your furnace may also give you fault codes related to draft inducer blowers. In any case, it’s important to have yours replaced by someone with experience. And, in all instances, a draft inducer blower must be replaced with an exact model or type as the one originally installed. Wiring should also be identical. Top manufacturers of inducer blower motors are Fasco, Carrier, Miller and Fedders.