Kitchen Exhaust & Hood Cleaning

Exhaust Fan Motor Replacement in Hyattsville, MD

Name: Professional Hood Cleaning LLC
Address: Hyattsville, MD, 20783, US
Telephone: (240) 863-7414

When the exhaust fan motor fails, the hood stops working. We replace tired motors before they take your kitchen down.

What a failing fan motor costs a restaurant

A restaurant exhaust fan motor works every hour the kitchen is open, in heat and with a coating of grease-laden air around it. Bearings wear, windings overheat and the motor eventually trips its overload or simply quits. The failure usually comes at the worst time: in the middle of service, with the line full of heat and smoke and no way to run the hood.

Replacing a motor is a matching exercise. The new motor has to fit the nameplate of the old one: horsepower, speed, voltage, phase and frame size. A close-enough motor that spins at the wrong speed pulls the wrong amount of air and can overload the drive.

The photo above shows a belt-driven fan like the ones we service. The motor mounts beside the fan, which is why we check belts and alignment during a motor swap.

Signs the fan motor is failing

The fan hums but does not start, or starts slowly
The breaker trips when the fan switches on
A burning smell near the fan or roof
Grinding or squealing that points to worn bearings
A motor housing that is too hot to touch comfortably

How we replace an exhaust fan motor

Diagnose first
We confirm the motor is the problem and not a belt, a switch or a power issue, so you do not pay for the wrong repair.
Read the nameplate
The old motor’s horsepower, RPM, voltage, phase and frame are matched to the replacement.
Isolate power and remove
Power is locked out, the electrical connections are noted, and the motor is unbolted from its mount.
Install and reconnect
The new motor is mounted, the connections are made to match the original and the pulley and belt are aligned.
Test the rotation
We run the fan to check direction, speed and noise, and we tell you if electrical work beyond the motor swap is needed.

What affects the price of motor replacement

Motor jobs vary more than most exhaust work because the motor itself is the main cost:

Motor size and type. Horsepower, phase and enclosure type drive the cost of the motor itself.
Availability. A common size can be sourced quickly. An unusual one takes longer.
Belt and pulley condition. If the drive is worn, replacing the belt or pulley with the motor avoids a second visit.
Roof access. Access and fan position affect labor time.
Urgency. A planned swap on a motor that is running hot costs less in disruption than an emergency after it fails.

Why choose us for exhaust fan motor replacement

We replace the motor and we check what killed it. A motor that failed because of a loose belt or a greasy housing will fail again unless the cause is fixed.

You get a straight answer on what the fan needs, from an owner-operated company that keeps its insurance and registration current.

We replace exhaust fan motors for restaurants around Hyattsville and nearby areas, including Hyattsville, MD and Silver Spring, MD.

Exhaust fan motor questions

How do I know whether it is the motor or the belt?

If the motor runs but the fan is slow or silent, a slipping or broken belt is likely. If the motor does not run, hums, trips the breaker or smells hot, suspect the motor. We can diagnose on site.

What information do I need to give you?

A clear photo of the motor nameplate helps a lot. It lists the horsepower, speed, voltage and phase, which tell us exactly what to match.

Should I repair or replace the motor?

For most restaurant exhaust motors, replacement is the sensible choice when bearings or windings have failed. We will tell you if a repair makes sense.

How long does a replacement motor last?

Life depends on run time, heat and how clean the fan is. A well-aligned drive on a clean fan lasts much longer than one running greasy and hot.

Will the fan run in the right direction?

We check rotation on startup, since a motor wired the wrong way pushes air the wrong way and moves far less of it.