How to Clean a Squirrel Cage Blower Fan

The first step to how to clean a squirrel cage blower fan is to disassemble it. Then, remove the motor and housing assembly. The motor shaft will need to be cleaned. You can use sandpaper and a small wd-40 spray can. Once you’ve cleaned the motor, you can reassemble the assembly.

Note the metal clip in the upper left corner. This clip helps balance the fan’s rotation. If the blades are not properly balanced, they’ll wear out the bearings faster.

If your squirrel-cage blower is wobbling, you should take care of it immediately. A dirty and overworked fan will eventually ruin the entire fan assembly. In some cases, the blower motor or bearing will be damaged.

This problem is especially bad if the fan is a direct drive unit. Fortunately, cleaning the fan will improve airflow and save energy. In addition, it will save you money on utility bills!

In order to clean a squirrel-cage blower, you need to first disassemble the blower unit. Remove two screws on the front of the fan. Next, remove the two bolts that hold the blower assembly to the ceiling.

Once the fan is removed, vacuum the inside of the cavity to clean the parts inside. Remember not to disturb the counterweights of the blades, as they will need to stay in place.

To clean the squirrel cage blower fan, you should remove the front control panel from the air conditioning unit. Then, unscrew the two bolts holding the fan in place. Once the fan is removed, use a vacuum cleaner to clean the blower blades.

Be careful not to disturb the counterweights, as they will be difficult to remove. Once the filter is clean, you can reinstall the blower unit.

To clean the squirrel cage blower fan, first, remove the control panel from the unit. Then, unscrew the two bolts holding the blower in place. You can then clean the squirrel cage blower fan by removing the counterweights and lubricating it. Then, reinstall the blower unit. If the counterweights are damaged, you’ll need to replace the entire system.

Read More: How To Catch A Ground Squirrel

When you remove the front panel of the furnace, make sure you get access to the blower unit. It may be held in place by retaining screws. To access the fan unit, slide out the front panel and unscrew the screws holding it in place. You’ll need to open the front panel. Once you’ve removed it, you’ll need to clean the motor housing.

After removing the front panel, you’ll need to disassemble the squirrel-cage fan. It’s important to remove the front panel to gain access to the blower. You may also need to use a paintbrush to clean the other parts of the fan.

When you’ve removed the front panel, you’ll need to clean the motor housing and squirrel cage. Once the parts of the fan are removed, the motor housing and the squirrel cage can be inspected.

The blower is accessible from the front panel of the furnace. Depending on the model, the front panel can be unscrewed to access the blower unit. Afterward, remove the screws that hold the fan unit in place. You’ll need to remove the fan’s motor, the fan motor housing, and the squirrel cage. This will reveal the fan’s motor. Once you’ve removed the front panel, you’ll need to remove the squirrel cage to get to the fan.

Next, remove the control board. The control board is usually held in place by a couple of screws. Once removed, you can carefully pull out the mounting bracket. Be careful when working around the motor because it might fall out of the fan’s mounting bracket. While it’s important to keep the wiring separate from the motor, you should remove it. Inspect the fan’s fins and the ducts.

After removing the cage, you can remove the motor housing. If the fan is sealed, you should lubricate it with Emory paper before you reassemble it. After the motor, you can reassemble the fan by carefully removing the screws. Be sure to avoid causing any rust when reassembling the blower’s housing. It’s important to take care when cleaning a squirrel cage blower fan.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you clean a blower fan?

The steps to clean a blower fan are;

Turn off the circuit breaker for the line that supplies power to the furnace or air conditioning unit.

Remove the trim cover surrounding the open side—opposite the motor—by turning each screw counterclockwise with a Phillips screwdriver. Use a 5/16-inch nut driver if the cover is secured with self-tapping sheet metal screws. Place the screws in a safe location.

Pull the trim cover from the side of the furnace or air conditioning unit.

Loosen the retaining bolt on the end of the squirrel cage by turning it counterclockwise with an adjustable wrench. Slide the squirrel cage from the furnace or air conditioning unit.

Rinse the squirrel cage outdoors with forceful water from a garden hose. Set the squirrel cage in direct sunlight—away from dusty areas—until dry to the touch.

Slide the cleaned and dried squirrel cage over the motor shaft. Tighten the retaining bolt with the adjustable wrench.

Push the trim cover against the opening for the squirrel cage. Turn the trim cover to align its holes with the holes in the side of the furnace or air conditioning unit. Install one screw in each trim cover hole. Tighten the screws with a Phillips screw or a 5/16-inch nut runner to secure the trim cover.

Turn on the breaker to supply power to the furnace or air conditioning unit.

How do you clean an AC blower without dismantling it?

To clean an AC blower without dismantling it, you can use a vacuum to suck in the dust accumulated on the surface of the parts, such as, filters, evaporator coils, pipes, and fans

How often should furnace blower be cleaned?

The least is yearly because the openings in this type of furnace tend to become clogged with dust and dirt.

Can you clean your furnace yourself?

You can clean the furnace yourself but contact the professional if your furnace does not seem to be functioning properly even after you clean the filter, blower, and heat exchange.