How Do I Maintain My Furnace Myself?

1. Clean or replace your filter. …
2. Make sure blower motor is functioning correctly. …
3. Reduce home’s heating load. …
4. Make sure all household vents are free. …
5. For gas furnaces, verify the exhaust flue to the outside is clear. …
6. Remove all flammable objects from around your furnace.

How often should a gas furnace 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 is routine maintenance on a furnace?

Your furnace needs one tune-up every year

.

This is what we mean when we talk about “regular” maintenance. We typically recommend scheduling this tune-up before the heating season. This ensures that your furnace is prepared to heat your home before the cold snap hits.

Is annual maintenance on furnace necessary?

Is an Annual Inspection for My Furnace Really Necessary?

All furnace manufacturers recommend that you have yearly maintenance performed by a qualified technician

. Most furnace warranties state that any damage sustained to the unit due to a lack of regular maintenance will not be covered in the warranty.

How do I clean my furnace blower?

Can you clean your own furnace?

Wipe exterior surfaces with a damp rag. Remove the furnace access door by lifting it up and out. Loosen screws, removing the burner cover (if you have one). Vacuum the burners and furnace base using a shop vac or household vacuum with wand/upholstery attachment.

What is the main thing that every homeowner should do to their furnace in terms of maintenance to make sure it keeps working properly and to maintain good air quality?

Clean or Replace the Filters and Vents

The filter on your furnace’s air intake keeps dust, dirt and other contaminants from getting into the air inside your home. We recommend starting each heating season with a fresh filter, and be sure to replace or clean it every two or three months, depending on the type of filter.

How often should you clean furnace ducts?

Experts 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.

How do I know if my furnace needs cleaning?

1. You’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. …
2. Strange Odors from the Furnace. …
3. Yellow or Orange Flame. …
4. Strange Noises from the Furnace. …
5. Reduced Indoor Air Quality.

Does gas furnace need to be cleaned?

As a general rule,

the average furnace should be thoroughly cleaned at least once a year

. This will not only maintain the efficiency and longevity of your HVAC system, but it’ll also keep your ducts from getting grimy and distributing dust and dirt throughout your home.

What happens if you don’t service your furnace?

When you don’t maintain your furnace,

it doesn’t take long for the air filter to become completely clogged with dust, debris and even mold

. Once the air filter can no longer keep particles out, your furnace and your ducts become coated with these nasty airborne particles.

How often should you have a furnace tune-up?

All furnace manufacturers recommend

annual maintenance

to be performed by a qualified technician. There is also verbiage in their warranties saying that any damage done to the unit because of lack of maintenance will not be covered.

How long do furnaces usually last?

The average furnace lifespan is

between 15 and 20 years

. With proper maintenance, the life of your furnace could be even longer. If your furnace is around 15 years old it is a good time to start researching available options for a new furnace.

How do I lubricate my furnace blower motor?

If the motor has oil ports, it should be lubricated annually.

Apply two or three drops of 10-weight nondetergent motor oil (not all-purpose oil) to each port

. Do not overlubricate. If the blower shaft has oil ports, it, too, should be lubricated annually, following the same procedure.

What does a furnace cleaning consist of?

What is Furnace Cleaning? 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.

Why is the furnace blowing cold air?

If your furnace is blowing cold air in your home, this is a sign of

an issue with the flame detector, gas supply, air filter, pilot light, or condensate lines

. Many of these issues are able to be easily solved on your own by sanitizing or replacing components in the gas furnace.

Can you vacuum your furnace?

If your furnace has ducts or vents, you can also clean these of dirt and dust by using a vacuum

.

How do I clean my furnace in the winter?

1. Change Filter. You should check and change your furnace’s air filter every few months. …
2. Set Thermostat to “Heat” …
3. Clean Burners. …
4. Check and Oil Blower. …
5. Uncover Heating Vents. …
6. Clear Chimney and Vents. …
7. Test Safety Monitors. …
8. Check for Smells or Noises.

Why furnace maintenance is important?

Furnace maintenance

makes sure your HVAC system is running as efficiently as possible

. During your technician’s visit, they are inspecting and cleaning the components of your HVAC system. When the parts of the furnace are properly inspected and cleaned, they help your furnace run more efficiently.