How To: DIY Furnace Cleaning

Furnace Cleaning in Denver

After your furnace has been running all winter long dust and particles will accumulate. The air filter does a good job on collecting these particles from having a negative impact on your but before summer starts, take extra steps for furnace cleaning. If you home has a smoker or someone who suffers from allergies and asthma, make sure you take the time for furnace cleaning at least twice a year. This will prevent any extra dust that has a direct effect on someone’s health.

Dirt will affect all components of your furnace; the blower, filter system and motor. Take the time during the fall and spring season for furnace cleaning. If you don’t clean out your furnace on a regular basis the efficiency will diminish which also results in fuel and energy loss.

Some homeowners clean their own furnace. If you feel comfortable doing so, use the steps below as a guide to help in your furnace cleaning. By the control module there will be a connection that is active. It is extremely important to keep safety a priority. If you do not feel comfortable with furnace cleaning on your own, call your local HVAC technician.

How to Clean Your Furnace

• Step 1. Turn off the unit. Before starting any work on your furnace make sure that it is turned “off”. Head over to your thermostat and switch it to “off”. It is also advised that you completely turn “off” the furnace unit completely. Use the furnace power switch or unplug from its source of energy.
• Step 2. Clean the exterior of the unit. The outside of the unit like the ductwork and other outputs can get hot. Remove the dust from these areas so when you start up the furnace for the first time in winter it won’t smell like something is burning. In these areas of the furnace you will find; cobwebs, dust and residues.
• Step 3. Open and Clean the Inside. Open access to all the inside components of the unit. Use a wet or dry vacuum to remove the dust, dirt and debris from the motor, blower and all other working aspects of the furnace unit. While cleaning the furnace with a vacuum, be careful not to mess with any of the wires and connections.
• Step 4. Clean and Repair Ductwork. The ductwork of a system is extremely important. Conditioned air will travel through the ducts to deliver air to the house. If there is excess dirt and debris, it can have a direct health effect on those living inside. Ultimately, the air will be more polluted with additional debris.
  Do a check of the ductwork to make sure that there are no holes or areas that need repair. When the ductwork has damages, it will cut efficiency and use more energy for its job. Make repairs to any holes or leaks before using.
• Step 5. Replace Air Filter. Find where your air filter is located on the furnace and get the right size. An air filter is a piece of cardboard with a mesh lining to filter out dirt and particles from getting into important parts of the furnace. If you do not change the air filter regularly, the particles will block the mesh in the filter and restrict air flow.