Safety 101: Tips When Cleaning The Furnace

Most of the residences these days can boast of having furnaces. The primary function of these devices is to provide heat and also circulate air within the residence. It is essential to keep the furnace clean given that a dirty furnace might be accountable for decreased efficiency, accumulation of additional dust, as well as waste fuel.

In the following paragraphs, we have provided some authentic guidelines that will help you clean a furnace in an effective and safe manner.

1. Always be safe

It is important to switch off the power to make sure that no electrical short is created while cleaning the furnace. In case there is any natural gas system, make sure to turn the gas off as well. Remember to maintain safety while performing the cleaning operation.

2. Clean the exterior of the furnace and also the surrounding area

It is important for the room where your furnace is operating to be clean and free of any clutter. This will include the ductwork as well as the pipes which come in and out of the furnace. In case you get any unpleasant odor, it is likely that the dust and grime which gathered on the ducts are burning off gradually. Use a vacuum cleaner featuring a brush and clean the top areas of the pipes, ducts, as well as the electrical conduit with care. Also, make it a point to vacuum the exterior metal casing of the furnace including the top as well. Apart from this, gently clean any electrical connection using a feather duster including the wiring panel on the exterior parts of the furnace. However, take care to work slowly to avoid dislodging any electrical connection. Clean the flooring adjoining the furnace using the identical vacuum cleaner.

3. Replace the filter

Look for the access panel on the exterior part of the furnace, which is a door opening to the inside of the furnace. Remove the filter after opening the door. In case the filter appears dirty, it will be imperative to clean it or replace it. If the filter happens to be a non-disposable one, make it a point to clean it. Get rid of any dirt and grime prior to cleaning. For this, you can make use of tap water and a non-toxic cleaner. In case the furnace is new, it is likely that the filters are disposable. You will get hold of a replacement from any hardware outlet in your area. Furnace filters need to be replaced or cleaned at least 3 to 4 times every year. For this, you can set reminders on the calendar to help you remember the inspection dates. For example, you might check the filter on the first day of every season during the year.

4. Clean the blower

The metal panel inside the filter will either come with an inbuilt handle or any other simple removal process. This will provide you with access to the heat exchanger and the furnace blower. Get rid of the panel to ensure that there is adequate illumination inside. You will come across lots of furnaces featuring blowers on the sliding rails at present. After sliding out the blower, clean the blower blades using a stiff brush plus warm plus soapy water.

5. Check the thermostat

Verify whether the air conditioning inside your room appears to be uncomfortable even when the thermostat has been set correctly. If it is so, it is possible that the furnace is working for a longer span of time. Take the help of an expert to make sure it is functioning properly and get it replaced if required. In case you are residing in Australia, you’ll come across several reliable house cleaning experts, including Maid2Match Brisbane who will do the job impeccably. In fact, a professional company can boast of having the necessary equipment as well as experience to render flawless services.

6. Inspect the fan

Apart from all these steps mentioned in the previous paragraphs, it is also essential to inspect the fan regularly to make sure that your furnace continues functioning properly for an extended period. Assemble all the parts of the furnace at the time of this testing phase and then operate it for a short while. Try to verify whether any unusual smell or sound is emitting from the furnace. In case you notice any such anomalies switch off the electricity as well as the gas supply so as to remain safe. If these types of problems are noticed multiple times, get the entire job done by an expert who will help you to save the money which you would have otherwise invested in purchasing the spare components. Perform this once every year so as to be assured of the fact that the parts of the fan are checked as well.

7. Clean the heat exchanger

It is the heat exchanger which happens to be the heated core of your residence. Make sure that this exchanger does not become excessively hot while operating and also inspect it for any perceptible corrosion or crack. Clean it with the help of a stiff brush and get rid of any scale. Also, vacuum the region adjoining the heat exchanger.

8. Hire a professional

It is not difficult to maintain and clean your furnace, and many individuals take the help of YouTube videos and articles on the Internet to perform the task on their own. However, if you face any difficulty to execute the task all by yourself, do not hesitate to hire the services of an expert professional in your area. Make it a point to perform some research before appointing these experts and for this, you can take the help of online reviews from their previous customers.

The above-mentioned guidelines will assist you in performing the chore of cleaning a furnace impeccably. Always make it a point to keep the furnace area as clean as possible. Try not to store any chemical substances, kerosene, chlorine, paint thinners, gasoline, and so forth in the room where the furnace is placed. Also, get rid of any obstacle that might get in the way while examining the device. In this way, you will be able to have dust-free air inside your residence which you as well as your family members have always dreamt of.