how do i clean out my furnace

^{How to Clean a Gas Furnace}

• Clean furnace surfaces. Wipe exterior surfaces with a damp rag. Remove the furnace access door by lifting it up and out. ...
• Remove the blower. Unscrew the control panel if it blocks the blower, letting it hang. Use a socket and ratchet, removing the bolts that hold the blower.
• Carefully clean the blower. Without disturbing the wiring and counterweights on fan blades, carefully clean the blower with a vacuum and small brush.
• Clean the flame sensor. Pull the flame sensor down and out of its bracket, lightly cleaning it with a fine emery cloth. Slide it back in.
Inspect the drive belt. Check the blower belt for cracks/fraying. Replacement costs less than $10. Tension the new belt to deflect ½-3/4-inch.
Replace the air filter. Change the furnace filter. It should be changed every 3-months, at a minimum, to protect the system.
Activate the burners. Turn the power and gas back on, activating the burners by turning up the thermostat. Check that burner flames are even and blue.
Adjust dampers. If your heating ducts also serve as AC ducts, adjust the dampers for seasonal settings. Looking for a faster, easier way to accomplish seasonal furnace maintenance?

How to maintain and service your home furnace?

• Check and potentially replace or clean the filter
• Check thermostat operation
• Run the furnace in heating mode and record temperature readings from both the return air ducts and the supply or heating ducts, to be sure the heating output is within ...
• In the combustion chamber, check and clean the burner, crossover, and igniter

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How to clean or replace your furnace burners?

Supplies You’ll Need to Clean your Furnace Burners

1. Power drill (or alternatively, a small wrench) – This is used to help us access the burners. ...
2. Flexible drill bit extension: This extension attaches to your power drill and lets you use your power drill on screws that are in hard-to-reach places. ...
3. Brass Brush – This handy tool is what we’ll use to actually remove the debris from the burner.

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How do you clean a permanent furnace filter?

Part 2 Part 2 of 3: Cleaning the Filter Download Article

1. Make sure the filter is reusable. If your filter has a plastic frame, it's a reusable model. ...
2. Rinse away the dust with water. Filter cleaning is actually very simple. ...
3. Let the filter dry completely. Set the filter somewhere to dry once you've cleaned it. ...
4. Put the filter back in place. Again, no special equipment is required to reinsert the filter. ...

Do I need to clean my chimney if I have a gas furnace?

According to the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA), some of the new gas fireplaces still recommend or require an annual chimney cleaning. Not all gas fireplaces are created equal. Some are fueled by natural gas or propane gas.

How do I clean my furnace myself?

1:085:38Furnace Maintenance: Cleaning Your Furnace - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou're going to need a vacuum some compressed air and a soft bristle brush for the next. Part vacuumMoreYou're going to need a vacuum some compressed air and a soft bristle brush for the next. Part vacuum the inside where you can. Reach. Use the soft bristle brush to gently dust the gas assembly.

How do I know if my furnace needs cleaning?

5 Signs it's Time for a Furnace CleaningYou're Struggling to Get and Keep the Temperature You Want. Given that your furnace's entire job is to warm your home, it's frustrating when that isn't happening. ... Strange Odors from the Furnace. ... Yellow or Orange Flame. ... Strange Noises from the Furnace. ... Reduced Indoor Air Quality.

How do you flush a gas furnace?

0:139:27Furnace Maintenance: How to Clean Your Furnace Burners - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWe're going to go over the burners in your furnace. And how to clean them like i've mentioned inMoreWe're going to go over the burners in your furnace. And how to clean them like i've mentioned in other videos a big part of furnace maintenance is cleaning the in-shop burners in my furnace are really

How often does a furnace need to be cleaned?

once a yearWe usually advise that you schedule furnace maintenance every 1-2 years (ideally once a year) and duct cleaning at intervals of 3 to 5 years for a smooth-running system and excellent indoor air quality. That's the minimum.

How long does a furnace cleaning take?

2 hoursA professional furnace cleaning usually takes up to 2 hours. However, it may take longer if the furnace is especially large or dirty. A furnace cleaning and tune-up includes: Examining and replacing air filters.

How do I clean my furnace in the winter?

Check the following list to be sure your furnace is ready for the coming winter.Turn on the thermostat. ... Change the air filters. ... Cover the AC condenser. ... Clean the heat exchanger. ... Lubricate and clean the blower motor. ... Test the igniter switch. ... Inspect the chimney and carbon monoxide detectors.More items...

What does a furnace cleaning consist of?

Inspecting the vent system and air intake grilles, removing any blockages. Checking the heat exchanger for signs of damage or corrosion. Examining and cleaning the blower, removing any debris. Checking the blower motor and testing its amp draw.

Do furnaces need to be serviced?

A gas furnace should be serviced at least once a year, preferably, though, in both the spring and the fall. Annual maintenance, including a thorough examination and cleaning of the parts that commonly malfunction, like the air filter, the fan, the pilot light, and the heat exchanger, can usually prevent these problems.

What does furnace cleaning include?

Furnace cleaning involves only the individual components of the furnace itself—like the heat exchanger, the blower motor, the combustion chamber, burners, fan, etc. These are typically cleaned with the combination of high-pressured air and an industrial vacuum.

What does a furnace tune up consist of?

Inspection of the heat exchanger, gas pressure and flame operation. Indoor air filter cleaning or replacement. The cleanliness of your air filter affects both the energy efficiency of your furnace and your indoor air quality. Regular cleaning or replacement is essential to keep your furnace running smoothly.

How often should you clean your furnace and ducts?

every 2 to 3 yearsExperts advise having your air ducts cleaned every 2 to 3 years to prevent many maintenance and health problems before they start. However, homes with pets or children with allergies should have their air ducts professionally cleaned more frequently than the recommended average.

What is done during a furnace tune up?

A furnace tune-up includes gas calibration and the cleaning and inspection of the furnace burner to ensure correct temperature output. In addition to ensuring safe operation, this will keep your furnace running as efficiently as possible all season.

How long does it take to clean a furnace filter?

Doing a full-furnace clean is a more complex process that will take three to four hours. For most homeowners, it's a job that's better left for an HVAC professional.

How often do I need to clean my furnace?

You should plan on an annual whole-furnace cleaning, preferably in fall before the weather turns cold. That way, your furnace will be operating at optimal levels when it's needed most.

How do I clean my washable filter?

Unlike a disposable filter, which has a cardboard frame, a washable filter can be submerged into water if necessary. Clean your washable filter every few months, a process that should take no longer than 20-30 minutes. Here are the steps you should take:

What is the MERV rating for furnace filters?

When purchasing a filter for your furnace, you will see a measurement on the package called a Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value, or MERV, value. MERV numbers range from 1 to 16, with higher numbers being better at removing pollutants from the air. A MERV rating of 6-12 is considered good for most homes. If you are a smoker or have multiple pets or bad allergies, purchase a filter with a MERV that's at the higher end.

Why is it important to keep a furnace clean?

Keeping your furnace clean is important in order to have it run properly in winter (or year-round if you have whole-house air conditioning). A clean furnace will burn less fuel -- thus saving you money -- and extend the life of the unit.

Can you replace a furnace filter?

There is one task of furnace maintenance that anyone can -- and should -- do, however, and that's replacing the filter. Your furnace filter traps dust, dirt, allergens and more so that it doesn't impede the ability of the furnace's systems to function. A good filter also keeps pollutants out of the air so you are not breathing them. The following tips will show you how to clean or replace it, simply and easily, and we'll also discuss what is involved in the more thorough cleaning that a professional might do.

Why do you need to clean a furnace?

Cleaning the furnace also gives you a close look at how its components are holding up to wear and tear. You might catch an easy DIY repair now before it turns into an expensive service call in the middle of a hard freeze.

Why do you clean furnace burners?

Cleaning them improves your heater’s gas combustion process, and that helps hold down heating bills. • Remove metal housing to expose burner chamber.

What is furnace filter?

Furnace filters reduce airborne contaminants throughout the house, and they help protect equipment from accumulating dust and debris. The three most common types of filters are:

What is the most important part of a furnace?

3. Heat Exchanger. The heat exchanger is usually a block assembly of coils with several chambers. It’s one of the furnace’s most important parts because it heats air circulating through the unit. • Remove vented cover for access to heat exchanger. • Clean each block chamber with bristle brush.

Where is the furnace filter located?

Furnace Filter. While some filters are inserted behind a grill in the wall or ceiling, others are located on the furnace and even inside the blower compartment. All are easy to replace or clean, and they play a dual role in efficient operation.

Is furnace cleaning an annual routine?

It’s an important annual routine that keeps the house warm and the family safe. While we offer expert furnace cleaning services to Chicago homeowners, it’s a project you can do yourself with a few tools and a little patience.

Does ServiceMaster Restoration by Zaba clean furnaces?

When you need help getting the house ready for another cold season, ServiceMaster Restoration by Zaba is ready to answer your call.

How Much Does It Cost to Clean a Furnace?

Annual servicing is cheap—typically less than $100 —especially when compared with the price of a new furnace. “You wouldn’t wait more than a year to service your car,” Richard says. “The heat in your house is just as important.”

How Often Should Furnace Be Cleaned?

Before chilly autumn nights set in, you need to make an appointment for your annual furnace maintenance. Without this yearly cleaning and inspection, a system can wear itself out quickly, pump deadly carbon monoxide into your home, or simply stop working.

What to do in the fall for a house?

The fall is a good time for homeowners to remove floor registers and vacuum out the ducts, which are magnets for dust, pet hair, small toys, and food scraps. All of this reduces its efficiency, forcing you to crank up the heat. You'll also breathe a little easier without this debris in the air.

Where is the red switchplate on a furnace?

The distinctive red power switchplate can usually be found at the top of the cellar stairs or near the burner itself , while the fuel shutoff valve is near the oil tank or on the incoming gas pipe. Note the location of both in case of a future leak or fire.

What does Richard do in the chimney?

Inspecting the Flue Pipe. Richard checks for holes in the exhaust flue that could leak carbon monoxide, particularly where the pipe meets the furnace. Small holes can be patched with foil tape, but corroded flues must be replaced. He also adjusts the flue pipe's barometric da mper, which moderates the chimney draw.