If your home does not seem to be as cool as you would like it to be or if there are certain rooms that tend to stay warm, you may wonder if there may be an issue with your central air conditioning unit. Especially if it seems as though the air coming from the vents is not as strong as usual, there could be an issue with the unit's fan motor. Use the following tips to help you determine if the motor could be failing.

1.  Listen to the A/C Unit While It Is Running

One way to help ascertain the condition of your A/C unit's fan motor is to stand next to it and listen for a few minutes. Normally, you may hear a bit of a roar while the fan blades are turning, or you may note that it has a loud whirring sound.

If you hear rattling noises or the sound of straining, the motor may not be able to fully handle the rotation speed. If it is struggling to rotate the blades, the strain will eventually cause the motor to burn up. However, rattling noises coming from your unit could also mean that the fan belt or blades are loose. Have a repair technician take a look at your air conditioner so that they can find the actual culprit.

2.  Observe the Fan Through the Vents at the Top of the Unit

While you are listening to your A/C unit, also observe the fan through the vents at the top of the unit. If the motor is working correctly, the blades should appear as one smooth, circular blur.

However, if the motor is wearing down, you may be able to see the blades as they rotate because the motor is not able to keep up with the required revolutions. You may also see the blades wobble slightly because they are not rotating at the proper speed. Once again, however, wobbling fan blades could also be a sign that they are loose. Have a professional look at them to be sure.

If you do hear rattling or notice that the fan blades do not seem to be rotating normally, the fan's motor is most likely starting to fail and should be addressed by a professional before it breaks down completely. Contact an HVAC contractor who offers air conditioning services to have them inspect the unit and take the necessary actions to fix any issues that they may find.

To learn more, contact an air conditioning repair contractor.