So there are some brands namely Carrier and its associates (Bryant, Payne, Heil, etc…) that decided to put ECM motors into basic air handlers. Most people buy basic air handlers not just for the cheaper upfront cost, but also for the cheaper repair costs after the 10-year warranty is up. Systems that use ECM motors in basic air handlers defeat this idea. ECM motors which stand for Electronically Commutated Motor are advanced, energy-efficient, multi-speed (or variable speed) motors that draw voltage directly from the board and do not require a separate capacitor. These motors are very expensive and can end up costing the homeowner a lot of money if this repair is needed outside of warranty.

The biggest problem these motors encounter is with poor duct design. If you have a badly designed duct system, and live in a modular home with a high static duct, then chances are every few years your ECM motor is going to go bad, and at a certain point cost you a lot of money. When purchasing a new system always check if your new system will have an ECM motor, if this is a cost you would like to avoid in the future do not purchase the system that uses an ECM motor on basic systems. If you want the efficiency of an ECM motor you should at least purchase a 16 SEER or above to garner the full efficiency savings.