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Would you know how to clean an old gas furnace if you needed to? Most homeowners have no idea how to clean their furnaces, so it’s always better to leave it to professionals who can do it safely. However, it’s best not to put it off because a clean furnace will save money on your heating costs and make the system more reliable throughout the winter.
Below is a brief guide on cleaning a gas furnace the right way.
Do you have bigger issues facing your furnace, such as not being able to get it to start? Our skilled furnace repair personnel in Glastonbury can help.
Turn Off the Power Supply
To avoid injuries and electrical accidents, experts like SM Mechanical Services will always shut off your furnace’s fuel supply before doing anything else.
- Turn off the switch on the circuit breaker that connects to your furnace.
- Locate the fuel shutoff valve near the gas pipe that feeds into your furnace and switch it off.
Letting the gas supply continue to flow may cause a leak in the system, which can be extremely dangerous. For safety reasons, the professionals will also turn off the power source before tinkering with an HVAC system.
Gather Your Materials
Combustion chamber and flame sensor cleaning can be messy, so it’s important to have the proper equipment, such as:
- Machine oil
- A soft-bristle brush
- New furnace filter
- Vacuum with an upholstery brush
- Socket and ratchet set
- A straw
- Emery cloth
Start With the Furnace’s Outer and Inner Surfaces Cleaning
Once the team shuts off the power source and gathers all the right equipment, they’ll work out how to clean an old gas furnace from the outside to the inside. It usually happens as follows:
- Take out the vacuum with the upholstery brush attachment.
- Run it across the outside of the furnace.
- Find the blower door and vacuum the inside of it.
If the team sees any soot around the blower door, the furnace likely has problems with combustion. In that case, cleaning the area could drastically improve combustion and ensure you have a reliable source of heating.
Move Onto Motor Blower Removal and Cleaning
After cleaning the outer layer of the furnace, a socket and ratchet set will remove the bolts surrounding the blower itself. It’s best to remove the device and clean it using a vacuum or soft-bristle brush. The technicians are also careful not to disturb the wiring or counterweights while cleaning, as this could lead to larger problems.
Flame Sensor and Pilot Cleaning Comes Next
Knowing how to clean an old gas furnace safely also means checking the pilot light. This flame ignites the gas supply in your system so that the burner produces heat.
The pilot light is extremely fragile, so it is better not to touch it. Instead, the professionals might take a straw and blow onto the pilot light to dislodge the dust around it with a hands-off method. Using an emery cloth, they’ll then gently wipe the flame sensor, a rod that’s essential for igniting the fuel for the burner.
Inspect and Lubricate the Furnace
After finishing most of the cleaning, the next check involves a drive belt inspection. Checking the drive belt, also known as the blower belt, reveals any cracks or damage to the system. A technician may need to replace this part if there is any visible damage to the belt.
However, if the drive belt is in good working condition, the technician will take machine oil to gently lubricate the motor blower along with the shaft bearings. Too much will risk damaging your system, so the HVAC professional will only use a few drops to effectively lubricate these moving parts.
Replace Your Air Filter
Once your furnace is spotless and ready to use, the final check would be to swap out your dirty air filter for a new one or clean it out. The filter will catch any traces of dust and pollutants that come through the furnace, so you’ll want to change it on a regular basis to avoid clogging.
Experts recommend replacing your filter every three months. However, you may need to change it more frequently if you smoke, have pets, or find that it gets dirty quickly.
Restart Your Furnace
The furnace is now ready for use after a thorough cleaning! The next step is to turn the electrical and gas sources back on and ignite the burner.
Is the burner’s flame consistent and blue? If you see a yellow flame, the burner might still be dirty.
Remember To Clean Your Floor Vents
Your air filter will capture plenty of dust mites and allergens that travel through your heating system. However, your floor vents can also accumulate dust, pet hair, and other pollutants. Cleaning these with a vacuum after you clean your furnace can improve your system’s efficiency, as well as improve your indoor air quality.
Why Furnace Maintenance Is Important
With regular furnace burner cleaning, you can avoid some of the most common heating issues that homeowners face. Those who neglect their furnaces year after year can expect problems such as:
- Water leaks beneath the system
- The furnace blows cold air instead of heat
- The pilot light fails to ignite or stay lit
While there are countless ways to troubleshoot these issues, it’s likely that you’ll need professional repairs to remedy these issues. Regularly cleaning your furnace also helps you prevent problems and ultimately saves you money.
Why not schedule maintenance with a licensed HVAC technician to make things simpler?
Contact SM Mechanical Services For Professional Heating Services Today!
Now that you know how to clean an old gas furnace safely. You also know that keeping it clean makes the heater much safer and more efficient. However, if you encounter any problems, such as dealing with a soft lockout on a furnace, our certified technicians are always happy to help.
Call SM Mechanical Services at (860) 530-2632 today for fast, reliable furnace repairs, maintenance, and more in Connecticut.