Furnace Maintenance

Heating systems are usually trouble-free and easy to maintain. Efficient operation is a function of good regular maintenance. No matter what type of furnace you have, there are several things you can do to keep your heating system in top condition. In this article, we will tell you how to service and troubleshoot your furnace, regardless of the type. Before we get to the troubleshooting, let’s start with some steps you can take before your furnace shuts down.

Cleaning a Furnace

Dirt is the biggest enemy of your furnace. It can waste fuel and drastically lower efficiency. Dirt affects all three basic components of your furnace, so cleaning is the most important part of regular furnace maintenance. The three parts of the furnace should be cleaned: the filter system, the blower, and the motor.

The furnace filter should be replaced or cleaned at the beginning of the heating season and about once a month during periods of continuous use. To check the filter, take it out and hold it up to the light. If it looks clogged, replace it with a new filter of the same type and size regardless of the length of time it has been used.

A disposable furnace filter consists of a fiber mesh in a cardboard frame. The size of the filter is printed on the edge of the frame. An arrow on the edge of the frame indicates the correct direction of airflow through the filter. Air flows from the return-air duct toward the blower, so the arrow on the filter should point away from the return-air duct and toward the blower.
Step 1: Look for metal panel on front of furnace below return-air duct, between duct and blower system. Panel may be marked filter, or it may form lid or front of boxlike projection on furnace housing.

Step 2: Slip panel off its holding hooks, or unscrew panel from box or furnace housing. On some heating units, filters are exposed; just slip filter up and out of U-shape tracks that hold it in place.

A permanent filter is usually sprayed with a special filter-coating chemical, available at hardware stores and home centers. Clean this type of filter according to the manufacturer’s instructions, which are usually attached to the furnace housing. Here’s how to replace a filter:

Step 3: Inspect and replace or clean furnace filter, depending on type.

Step 4: Clean blower assembly, belts and pulleys to blower, and motor housing. Cleaning blower is critical if furnace has a squirrel-cage fan, because openings in this type of blower often become clogged with dirt. To clean blower, remove panel that covers filter to gain access to blower or panel on front of furnace. This panel may be slip-fit on hooks or held by series of retaining screws. Access to inside of blower is usually gained by sliding out fan unit, which is held on track by screws.

Share/Bookmark

Traditionally, a furnace air filter aims to only capture relatively large particles of dust. Now, however, advanced models that use HEPA or electrostatic air filtration have been able to maintain high efficiency ratings of more than 90%, which simply cannot be compared to the weak 5% efficiency filtration of a disposable filter.

Electrostatic furnace filters are extremely balanced filters, designed to remove 95% of contaminants from the air and have little restriction on the air flow; this ensures that your furnace doesn’t begin to over-compensate for reduced air flow due to a dirty filter and wear out.

Other Benefits Found in the Cost: They have a lifetime warranty, and are extremely easy to maintain, needing only to be washed out every three months. They save you hundreds of dollars by eliminating the monthly cost of purchasing disposable filters. It can be claimed on your insurance if it has been prescribed by a doctor and covered in your health plan.

HEPA air filters may be more expensive and may require special installation, but they can efficiently trap even submicron particles; they are up to 99% efficient, making them the number one choice on the market today if you live in high pollution areas or suffer from dust allergies.

It is very important that while capturing the dust particles, the furnace air filter does not restrict the furnace air flow. This is why any furnace filter will need regular inspection and maintenance or replacement.

Share/Bookmark

1. Check all doors and windows for possible drafts. Apply weather stripping, caulking, or putty where the heat sneaks out

2. Test all smoke detectors, and replace batteries if necessary

3. Change the air filter in your furnace

4. Check for proper insulation, especially in the attic, as heat does rise

5. Protect your plumbing even if your pipes have never frozen in the past. Use pipe jackets, fiberglass insulation, or electric heating tape. Wrap lines that run through exterior walls.

6. Insulate your hot water tank to retain heat. It’s better for the environment and winter bills

Outside:

1. Remove leaves from gutters

2. Disconnect hoses and store them indoors for the winter

3. Trim trees and shrubs that touch the house

4. Put up storm windows

5. Stock up on sand and salt if you live in an area prone to icy, snowy weather

6. Have your chimney inspected every year and cleaned if necessary

Share/Bookmark