System Components
Draft Inducer
A small motor and fan in your furnace that pulls combustion gases through the heat exchanger and up the flue, ensuring safe and complete venting before ignition occurs.
What Is a Draft Inducer?
The draft inducer (also called an inducer motor or combustion blower) is one of the first components to activate in a furnace heating cycle. It creates a negative pressure that pulls combustion gases through the heat exchanger and out the exhaust flue. This ensures that dangerous combustion byproducts are safely vented outside before the burner lights. The pressure switch verifies that the draft inducer is creating adequate draft before allowing ignition to proceed.
Why It Matters for Your Home
If your furnace makes a loud whirring or vibrating noise when it starts up, or if you hear it running but the burner never lights, the draft inducer may be failing. A worn inducer motor can also cause pressure switch errors, leading to intermittent heat. Inducer motor failure leaves you without heat, so unusual sounds should be investigated before a complete breakdown — especially heading into winter.
Furnace making unusual startup noises? Call Trademark Tek at 541-500-0663 before you're left in the cold.
Quick Facts
Category
System Components
Also Known As
Draft Inducer
