inducer motor replacement

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Average Draft Inducer Motor Replacement Cost

The average furnace inducer motor cost is around $245, when the part is under warranty and you pay only the labor to have it installed. The replacement cost is $465 when the warranty has expired and you pay for the furnace inducer motor.

Last Updated: Wednesday, January 12, 2022

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Overview of a Draft Inducer Motor

The draft inducer motor helps the furnace run safely and efficiently. It is mounted onto the combustion box and also attached to the furnace vent.

The motor is included in a complete assembly that includes the fan, capacitor, motor mount vent cap and clamp, the wiring and connection. They are almost always sold and installed as a complete assembly, which can actually save you labor costs. Taking apart the assembly to just replace the motor is time-consuming and costly.

The motor turns on 30-60 seconds before the gas valve fires and forces leftover combustion gases out of the box to prevent them from igniting/exploding. Then, it pulls a steady flow of fresh air into the combustion box for efficient burning while also pushing exhaust gases out the furnace vent.

Here’s what you’ll find in this Costimate. Cost factors that will help you guestimate your inducer motor repair cost based on various factors outlined in the table below, actual costs submitted by homeowners, a DIY Yes/No recommendation and furnace draft inducer assembly price estimates from other costs sites.

Other Common Furnace Repairs

Project Cost Details

Replacement Parts Price Factors

The Low, Average, High Cost table above shows some of the factors. Here is the complete list with explanations.

• Furnace Warranty – If the furnace is under warranty, then you pay only the labor cost to install the part. Sometimes the labor cost is higher than the cost of the part. So oddly, you might save money by buying the part and installing it yourself. See our DIY Yes/No recommendation below. It is a surprise to some homeowners that furnaces do not come with a labor warranty.
• DIY or Pro Installation – Like all types of repairs, whether you do the job yourself or hire a professional, is going to be a major factor in how much it cost.
• Motor Type: PSC or ECM – Most draft inducer motors are affordable PSC motors. A few are ECM motors that run quieter and also more efficiently to lower the electricity consumption. They cost more.
• Capacity of the Motor – The larger the furnace is, the more air is required for consumption, so the larger the inducer motor must be.
• Voltage – Voltage is often related to capacity, but not always. 110-120 inducer assemblies cost less than 220-240 motors.
• Furnace Access – When the furnace is located in an attic, crawlspace or similar location where working on it is difficult, cost goes up.
• Draft Motor Access – Most motor assemblies are easily reached once the cabinet face of the furnace is removed. Some are difficult and take more time to remove and replace, so the labor cost is higher.
• Cost of Living – Whether the cost of living in your area is low, average or high, it will be reflected in furnace repair costs.
• Local Area Demand – If you call for a repair at the peak of the busy season, you can expect to pay a bt more, than if you had the repair done in the offf season. This is simply due to the fact that the HVAC company is busier.

Replacement Considerations

• Most furnaces come with 10-year parts warranties, though anywhere from 5-12 years is common. When under warranty, the cost of the part is covered. The cost of labor is not.
• Total cost to replace a furnace draft inducer motor ranges from $85 to $1,150. Motors on high-performance furnaces can be quite expensive. The range includes DIY installation, a possibility discussed later, and professional installation.
• These parts go by many names including inducer blower assembly, inducer motor assembly and draft inducer assembly.
• For most furnaces, the draft inducer motor replacement cost is affordable.
• Your furnace brand is going to have a slight factor on cost as well. Higher end units like Carrier and Trane, American Standard and Lennox, might have a slightly higher cost than those on the lower end like Bryant, Goodman, etc.

Cost of Installation Supplies

The only part needed in most repairs is the draft inducer motor assembly. However, some furnace companies recommend replacing the air pressure switch too.

Here are the costs of parts:

• $85 – $1,150 | Draft inducer motor assembly
• $24 – $150 | Air pressure switch

Permits, Inspection, Related Costs and Installation Time

Permits and Inspection Cost

• $0 | No permit is needed for this furnace repair

Related Costs and Installation Time

The table above shows the repair costs for the part and labor – and whether DIY installation factors into the cost.

If you install the part, you’ll save HVAC technician fees of $65 to $125 per hour. Smaller companies tend to have lower rates than large companies. Cost of living in your area affects rates too.

Install Time Schedule

Despite some repairs taking less than one hour, most HVAC repair companies charge at least one hour’s fee to cover their time and travel expense.

• .5 to 1.5 hours | Replace the furnace draft inducer motor assembly

The most common repair time range is 45 to 75 minutes.

Is it Covered Under Homeowners Insurance or a Home Warranty?

Homeowners Insurance Coverage

Draft inducer motor replacement isn’t usually covered by a homeowner’s insurance policy unless it can be shown that the motor was damaged by a lightning strike or electrical surge, both unlikely.

Home Warranty

If HVAC is included in your home warranty, this repair will be covered.

Note: Most home warranty contracts require you to have basic furnace maintenance done at least yearly. You might have show maintenance records to have your claim paid.

A few companies are not as strict. Some, like American Home Shield (AHS) don’t have the requirement. AHS also says it will cover malfunctions due to “insufficient maintenance, undetectable pre-existing conditions or mechanical failures that could not have been detected by a visual inspection and/or mechanical test.”

We don’t have a relationship with any home warranty company or recommend one of others. We are just pointing out that their policies vary a lot. Read the fine print. Ask specific questions about maintenance and pre-existing issues. Then compare warranties for the levels of coverage give for the price.

Learn more about home warranties in this guide we have prepared.

DIY or Hire a Pro?

While replacing the draft motor is more challenging on some units than others, even the hardest are only moderately difficult. This 3 minute video from Repair Clinic shows a draft inducer motor replacement on a Lennox furnace.

There are a couple cautions. First, be as sure as you can be that the draft inducer motor is the problem. Once you install an electrical part like a motor, most sellers won’t allow you to return it.

Secondly, make sure you turn off power to the furnace before starting. Lastly, make sure the clamp and/or screws holding the assembly to the vent flue are secure. Otherwise, it is possible that carbon monoxide could leak from the connection. Placing a CO monitor near your furnace is a good general safety tip for any home.

What do you think? Cast your vote below – DIY or NO?