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Clean Air Furnace
for Trouble Free Operation
A clean air furnace is important to efficient operation. If a
furnace is not properly maintained and checked at least once a year,
it can increase utility bills and be unable to keep your house warm
the way it’s meant to do. Keeping your furnace clean also keeps your
air unit operating safely.
Cleaning a furnace is more a matter of routine maintenance that
should be done regularly. For example, the furnace filter should be
cleaned or replaced on a schedule, like every fall in preparation
for winter temperatures. When a filter gets dirty or plugged it can
significantly reduce the effectiveness of the furnace and also force
the furnace to labor too hard. This drives utility bills up. Also be
aware that the more you use the furnace, the more frequently you
should check it.
Clean Air Furnace
A dirty air filter is easy to recognize. When you pull it out of the
furnace, it will be grimy or you won’t be able to see any light
through it. One of the signs a furnace filter is dirty is when you
begin to notice an unusual amount of dust on your furniture. Don’t
try to skimp on filter replacements, because most filters are very
inexpensive. The cost or repairing your furnace, on the other hand,
can be extremely expensive.
A clean air furnace will also have a clean blower. The blower is
what pushes the air through the ductwork. If the blower is not
working properly or is dirty, the dust and grime will obviously blow
throughout the house. Clean the blower blades every month. You
should also periodically check the blower motor and make sure all
openings are clear of dirt and grime.
While following procedures to maintain a clean air furnace, you can
also inspect the whole unit. Always make sure any units situated
outside and exposed to the elements are kept free of bushes and
leaves. Most new units have vents that prevent leaves from blowing
into the unit, but older units are not always so efficient. Clean
off any cobwebs and dust that’s coated the unit.
After you check the filters, also check pilot light operation on gas
furnaces, listen for unusual noises, watch the pilot light flame,
check the air temperature against the thermostat setting, and watch
the furnace operate. Most of the time homeowners tend to take their
air furnace for granted until they detect a problem. Yet an
improperly operating air furnace can mean higher than normal utility
bills, poor home air quality and even dangerous gas leaks.
Simply stated, a clean air furnace can make your house comfortable
and efficient. |
