Lennox SLP98UHV Error Code E 294: Combustion Air Inducer Motor High Amp Draw
What Does Code E 294 Mean?
On the SLP98UHV, the combustion-air inducer is a separate motor from the indoor blower. Its job is to pull combustion gases through the heat exchanger and push them out the exhaust vent, and it is what establishes the draft that the pressure switches then prove. The SureLight Variable Capacity Integrated Control monitors the inducer's electrical current, and E294 is set when that current climbs above the motor's rated specification.
High amp draw in a motor almost always signals a mechanical problem. The most common cause is worn inducer bearings: as they deteriorate they add friction, and the motor pulls progressively more current trying to keep the wheel spinning at the required speed. Debris in the inducer housing or a wheel dragging against the housing can add the same kind of load. Left unaddressed, a motor drawing excessive current tends to overheat and eventually fail outright.
Because the inducer is what creates draft, a failing inducer can also show up indirectly as pressure-switch complaints — the same weak airflow that raises the motor's current can leave the draft too low to keep a pressure switch closed, which is the kind of condition behind E 223 (the low-fire pressure switch failing to close) and E 225 (the high-fire pressure switch failing to close). E294, though, is specifically about the inducer motor's own current draw, and it is distinct from the indoor-blower faults E 292 (blower unable to start) and E 295 (blower over-temperature). A technician needs to measure the actual amp draw and inspect the inducer.
What You'll Notice
- The inducer motor sounds unusually loud, strained, or grinding
- The 7-segment display shows E 294
- The furnace locks out before the burners light because draft is not established properly
- You hear scraping or rubbing noises from the inducer area near the flue
- Intermittent no-heat calls that coincide with the inducer working harder than normal
Common Causes
| Cause | Likelihood | DIY? |
|---|---|---|
| Inducer motor bearings wearing out causing excessive current draw | Most common | ✗ Call a pro → |
How This Is Diagnosed
A technician diagnoses E294 by measuring the inducer motor's actual current draw and comparing it to the rated specification stamped for the motor, since the code is fundamentally a current-threshold fault. A reading above the rating confirms the motor is straining rather than the control misreporting.
From there they look for what is adding load: worn bearings that no longer spin freely, debris in the inducer housing, or a wheel rubbing against the housing. They also confirm the flue and vent are not so restricted that the inducer is fighting excessive back-pressure. Because this work involves the combustion-air inducer, its wiring, and current measurement, it belongs with a qualified technician; if the motor draws more than its rating and does not meet performance, it is replaced.
When to Call a Professional
This code involves components that are not homeowner-serviceable, so have a licensed HVAC technician diagnose and repair it. Keep in mind:
- The inducer motor sounds loud, strained, or grinding and the furnace shows E 294
- The furnace locks out before ignition and you suspect the inducer
- You hear scraping or rubbing from the inducer housing
- E 294 appears alongside pressure-switch codes such as E 223 or E 225
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the combustion-air inducer actually do?
It is a dedicated motor that pulls combustion gases through the heat exchanger and pushes them out the exhaust vent, creating the draft the pressure switches verify before the burners light. It is separate from the indoor blower that circulates warm air through your home.
Why would higher amp draw matter?
Amp draw reflects how hard the motor is working. When bearings wear or something adds friction, the motor pulls more current to maintain speed. The control flags E 294 when that current exceeds the motor's rating, because a motor running over its rating overheats and heads toward failure.
Could E 294 be why I also see a pressure-switch code?
It can be related. A weak or laboring inducer may not move enough air to keep a pressure switch closed, which can surface as codes like E 223 or E 225. A technician checks whether the inducer's current draw and the draft it produces are both within spec so the right part gets attention.
✓ Verified against manufacturer service manual — March 2026