Key Features
- The average cost for a furnace motor blower replacement is $550, though the cost can range from $120 to $2,000+.
- Motor horsepower is one of the factors that contributes most to discrepancies in cost between types of furnace blower motors.
- Unless you have experience working as a repair technician for an HVAC company, we don’t recommend replacing a furnace blower motor yourself.
A furnace provides your home with plenty of heat, especially during frigid winters. If you’ve noticed your furnace isn’t working properly and your home is colder, it’s likely time to look into replacing your furnace blower motor and furnace blower motor replacement costs.
Fortunately, it’s more affordable to replace the motor than paying between $2,800 and $9,175 to replace the entire furnace. Not only this, but a new furnace blower motor can help your furnace perform better, saving you money on energy bills and eliminating those strange noises and sudden drops in temperature that you’ve likely been experiencing. Keep reading for a breakdown of furnace blower motor replacement costs, considerations, and professional vs. DIY furnace replacement pros and cons.
How Much Does It Cost To Replace a Furnace Blower Motor?
Most residential furnace blower motors cost between $120 and $1,000, with the nationwide average being $550 for a blower motor replacement. However, high-end furnace blowers for extra-large units or furnaces that are difficult to access can cost significantly more at $2,000 or more.
| Furnace Blower Motor Cost | |
| Average Cost | $550 |
| Highest Cost | $2,000+ |
| Lowest Cost | $120 |
How Do Costs Differ by Furnace Blower Motor Type?
Furnace blower motors come in three primary types: single-speed, multi-speed, and variable-speed. Each type has different pros and cons, with the multi-speed and variable-speed motors being our top recommendations because of their energy efficiency and quieter performance.
According to ENERGY STAR, certified furnaces reduce energy costs between $30 and $80 per year on average, making them 11% to 15% more efficient than standard models. If you choose a variable-speed motor, the most energy-efficient furnace blower motor type, the model can pay for itself over a few years of lower energy consumption.
| Motor Type | Average Price Range |
| Single-speed motors | $120 – $600 |
| Multi-speed motors | $300 – $800 |
| Variable-speed motors | $500 – $1,100 |
Single-speed Motors
As the name suggests, single-speed motors, also known as permanent split capacitors, have only one speed setting. These motors are usually found in single-stage gas furnaces, which only turn on when needed and then turn off after your home is warmed. While these are the least expensive motor types at $120 to $600, they come with significant downsides, including reduced energy efficiency because the motor will operate at the same speed even if your home requires less power, using more energy than necessary. Homeowners also complain about these motors’ noisiness as you’ll hear them frequently turning on and off during the day to keep your home warm.
Multi-speed Motors
Most multi-speed motors come with two to three speed settings, helping your furnace better control home heating. Often, our homes only need a slight temperature adjustment to maintain a comfortable temperature, and these multiple speed settings allow for this without overusing energy. The biggest benefits of multi-speed motors are better air circulation in the home, reduced energy costs, smoother transitions between speed settings, and decreased noise from the unit. Generally, you can expect to pay between $300 and $800 for these motors because of their more complicated circuitry.
Variable-speed Motors
The most energy-efficient and best temperature-regulating furnaces out there have variable-speed blower motors, which allow the HVAC system to finely control the temperature to specific fan speeds rather than choosing from predefined settings. Homeowners love that these motors make very little noise because the fans turn on slowly, gradually increasing to reach the desired speed. The system is designed to use the lowest speed required, which can greatly reduce energy costs. However, these motors are the most expensive, with an average cost range of $500 to $1,100.
For more information on types of blower motors and furnaces, watch the following video for details on efficiency ratings, motor types, and more:
How Does Motor Horsepower Affect Replacement Furnace Blower Motor Pricing?
The larger your home is, the more powerful your furnace needs to be to heat it efficiently. Most homes only require a motor with one-fourth to one-half horsepower. However, larger homes may need up to one horsepower, increasing overall costs.
While it’s frustrating to need a more expensive furnace blower motor, remember that if you choose a motor with too little horsepower, the unit will suffer, leading to costly blower repairs and furnace replacements sooner rather than later.
| Motor Horsepower | Furnace Blower Motor Cost |
| 1/4 | $120 – $500 |
| 1/3 | $150 – $850 |
| 1/2 | $180 – $1,000 |
| 3/4 | $200 – $1.500 |
| 1 | $250 – $2,000+ |
Which Factors Impact Furnace Blower Motor Cost Estimates?
Most blower motors cost between $120 and $1,000, or around $550 on average, but other cost factors like labor, additional parts, and furnace location will increase your project cost.
Keep reading to learn about the top four factors contributing to your HVAC blower motor replacement costs. Carefully consider the following as you budget for this upcoming expense.
Additional Parts
If other parts of the blower or HVAC system need to be replaced, this will add another line item to your cost estimate. For example, you may need to replace the blower capacitor alongside the motor, adding $10 to $450 to your total.
Here are some ballpark estimates for the costs of additional blower parts:
- Blower capacitor: $10 to $450 (part only)
- Blower wheel (furnace squirrel cage): $125 to $750 (labor included)
- Blower shaft: $75 to $200 (part only)
- Blower pulley: $50 to $250 (part only)
- Blower bearing: $20 to $150 (part only)
- Blower belt: $5 to $125 (part only)
- ECM repair kit: $20 to $60 (part only)
- ECM motor module: $250 to $850 (part only)
Labor Costs
Most people choose to have a furnace blower installed by a professional HVAC technician, which can quickly add several hundred dollars to overall costs.
Homeowners should plan to pay between $75 and $175 per hour for labor, with most contractors taking between two and three hours for installation. This factor adds $150 to $525 to the total replacement cost.If you have an active warranty, you’ll only be responsible for the labor portion of your blower motor replacement, saving you money.
Choosing to replace the furnace blower motor yourself completely eliminates labor cost and is something homeowners with experience working on HVAC systems may want to consider.
Brands
Next, you’ll want to consider where you are purchasing the part from and the product brand when accounting for the blower motor replacement cost.
Your choice of retailer impacts financing options, promotions, and sales. For example, Home Depot offers a military discount and perks for its credit card holders with six months of everyday financing, a longer return period, and more, which can save you additional money or help you pay for the part over time. Take time to shop around and compare blower motor parts at different retailers to see if one offers better prices or discounts, as these savings can quickly add up.
Furnace parts brands vary from more budget-friendly options to high-end products. We found that Goodman blower motors typically range from $75 up to $1,200 — a huge range based on many cost factors like type of furnace, motor size, and blower motor speed settings.
A more expensive brand like Rheem starts at prices of $130 and goes up to $1,400. Lennox can cost you even more at prices ranging from $150 to $1,700.
| Furnace Brand | Average Cost |
| Rheem | $4,100 – $4,960 |
| Trane | $4,800 – $13,500 |
| American Standard | $2,700 – $9,000 |
| Lennox | $2,900 – $8,300 |
| Carrier | $2,400 – $5,200 |
Location
The location of your furnace and the system accessibility can add to your total costs. Since most contractors charge hourly, the longer it takes them to access the blower motor, the more it will cost you. Some contractors may also charge you an additional fee if your furnace is located in a difficult-to-access location such as a tight crawl space.
If your furnace is in a difficult spot, plan to pay for at least one additional hour of labor, which would add another $75 to $150 to your total cost.
Professional Vs. DIY Furnace Blower Motor Replacement
It’s tempting to save money on labor costs by installing the new blower motor yourself. However, this isn’t a DIY-friendly job for the majority of homeowners — even ones with experience repairing their HVAC systems. Keep reading for a quick breakdown of the pros and cons of replacing a furnace blower motor yourself vs. hiring an HVAC professional for the job.
Replacing a Furnace Blower Motor Yourself
Unless you have experience working as a repair technician for an HVAC company, we don’t recommend replacing a furnace blower motor yourself. Even if you have substantial experience and knowledge of your furnace’s inner workings, there may be larger issues at hand. For example, if your blower motor died because of a larger system failure, replacing the motor won’t address this problem, leaving you with additional HVAC repairs to make.
Improper installation or repairs can also result in more money lost if you damage any parts during installation. While some home improvement projects are DIY friendly, we recommend you skip this one.
Hiring a Professional to Replace a Furnace Blower Motor
Hiring a professional for your furnace repairs does come with added costs. Still, these licensed and trained technicians are equipped to handle any type of blower motor or HVAC unit repair. They can also diagnose any root causes and explain how you can properly maintain your furnace, helping you squeeze more years out of it.
Take the following steps to find and hire a professional to replace your furnace blower motor:
- Research state requirements. Each state has its own license and insurance requirements for technicians and contractors, so take a moment to look this up and always ask for proof of licensing before proceeding.
- Find local experts near you. Ask friends, family, and other contractors you’ve worked with for contractor referrals, and Google local experts in your area to compile a short list.
- Ask about ENERGY STAR products. ENERGY STAR-qualified furnace parts meet stricter energy efficiency guidelines, setting you up for long-term energy savings.
- Get quotes from a few contractors. Set up a home evaluation with at least three contractors so they can inspect your current system, assess your needs, provide recommendations, and give you a quote.
- Consult them about their recommendations. Ask for specific recommendations regarding your furnace, HVAC services, and proper maintenance to avoid future problems and save on energy costs.
- Get everything in writing. A reputable contractor should offer you a proposal or bid in writing so you can compare the warranty, cost, and recommendations to those of other contractors and protect yourself should there be a dispute over pricing later.
So, Is a Furnace Blower Motor Replacement Worth It?
With an average cost of $550, a furnace blower motor replacement is almost always worth it for the energy savings and its capacity to keep your home’s temperature matching your thermostat settings.
We recommend hiring a professional to determine the appropriate motor size for your home’s heating needs and give you a quote for the HVAC blower motor replacement cost and installation. Gather quotes for the total cost from at least three local HVAC companies before making your final decision, and listen to your gut. If someone is giving you a quote much lower than the competition, check out review sites like the Better Business Bureau and Trustpilot to assess if they have a bad reputation.
Use the tool below to get a quote from the best HVAC installers in your area.
FAQs About Furnace Blower Motors
How do I know if my furnace blower motor is bad?
Many signs can indicate a failing blower motor, including:
- Increasing energy bills
- Strange noises
- No airflow or limited airflow from the vents
- Cold air from the unit
- Your furnace not powering on
How much does it cost to repair a furnace blower motor?
Depending on your model and the repairs needed, you can expect to pay between $150 and $1,500 for furnace blower motor repairs. A complete furnace replacement may be a more worthwhile investment if your repair costs are higher.
What is the life expectancy of a furnace blower motor?
The life expectancy of a furnace blower motor is between 10 and 20 years, or close to the expected lifespan of your furnace, depending on how often your air handler runs. Proper maintenance will help the furnace blower motor and unit last longer, stretching the usage you get out of them.
What happens when my furnace blower motor goes out?
If your furnace blower motor goes out, no air will come from your vents when the heat is turned on. Your next step will be getting a replacement blower motor and contacting an HVAC technician for its installation.
