An actuator in a HVAC system includes a drive device and a motor coupled to the drive device. The drive device is configured to attach to a movable HVAC component and to drive the movable HVAC component between multiple positions. The motor includes a shell defining an outer perimeter of the motor, a rotor shaft contained within the shell and configured to rotate when an electric current is applied to the motor, a drive shaft extending through the shell and coupled to the drive device, and a one-way clutch contained within the shell and rotatably coupling the rotor shaft to the drive shaft.