Keeping your home’s furnace clean is important. Not only can cleaning your furnace prevent costly repairs, but it can also reduce your heating costs.
It’s essential to schedule maintenance services with Loren’s Heating & Air. However, there are some DIY cleaning tasks that you can tackle on your own. Here are three ways to clean your furnace.
1. Inspect the Flue Pipe
Your furnace’s flue pipe prevents pollution in your home. If your flue pipe isn’t working properly, byproducts from your furnace will get trapped in your home.
Inspect your flue pipe for blockages due to bird nests, leaves and other debris. Examine it for holes, rust and leaks. The presence of moisture and soot indicates that your flue pipe may need to be replaced.
2. Change the Furnace Filter
Debris often gets trapped in your furnace filter. When this happens, it can cause your furnace to work harder and increase your heating bill.
Changing your furnace filter is one of the easiest ways to maintain good air quality and more affordable heating bills. In fact, you should replace the filter every three months or so. Be sure to buy high-quality filters that are designed for your furnace.
3. Clean the Blower and Access Areas
Over time, your furnace’s blower and access areas collect dust and dirt. When debris accumulates, it can clog the blower and motor.
You’ll need a soft brush and a wet/dry vacuum to clean this area. Carefully use the soft brush to loosen the dirt and dust on the mechanical parts. Use the wet/dry vacuum to remove the debris from the blower and access areas.
As you’re cleaning your furnace, you should be careful. Your furnace contains electrical parts. It’s a good idea to turn off your furnace before beginning the cleaning process.
If you’d like more information about cleaning your furnace or scheduling a heating service, contact Loren’s Heating & Air in Salem, OR. Our services include installations, HVAC tune-ups and 24/7 emergency heating and cooling repairs.