When the leaves begin to change and outside temperatures begin to fall, it’s a good time to begin thinking about furnace maintenance. A clean, well-adjusted heating system can save you money on fuel and prolong your equipment’s life.
There are several different types of heating systems commonly found in homes.
Boilers (hot water or steam)
Electric baseboard and wall
Forced-air furnaces (natural gas, oil, propane)
Heat pumps
This article is only for those of you with forced-air furnaces, the most common type in American homes. Forced-air systems blow hot air through ductwork. They’re efficient and very responsive to thermostat changes.
(1) Look your furnace over
The first step in furnace maintenance is giving the equipment a good once over. Before turning on your furnace for the first time in months, check for signs of moisture, rust, or dirt on the vent pipe and around the heating equipment. Another thing to check for is any rotten egg or sulfur smell. If at any time you notice this smell you should immediately contact a professional to investigate the possibility of a gas leak.
(2) Clean the area around your furnace
It is tempting to use your mechanical room as a storage closet, but this isn’t wise. Your furnace needs room to “breathe,” and flammable items stored too close to the equipment might catch fire. It is a good idea to remove boxes and anything else you may have stored near the furnace before winter comes.
Keeping the area around your heating system clear of dust and debris by regular sweeping and vacuuming will help keep the inside of the furnace clean as well.
Pay attention to what you’re storing near your heating system. Paint, household cleaners, and other chemicals may contain volatile compounds that your furnace can spread throughout the home. Store these away from the air intakes of your furnace.
(3) Check your filter
The most important thing you can do for your furnace is to change the filter frequently.
A dirty air filter will restrict the flow of air through your heating system. When that happens, the system has to work harder to move the air necessary to heat your home. This can lead to unnecessary wear and tear on your system.
Turn your furnace off. Then check the air filter and replace it, if necessary. If you open the compartment where your air filter is located, and the entire surface is covered with dust and grime, it’s time for a new air filter. A disposable furnace filter should be replaced at least every three months. It may need to be replaced more frequently, depending upon the filter itself, how much your system is running and if you live in a dusty area or have furry pets in your home. During the winter you should check your filter monthly. If you can see light through the filter, it’s still clean enough to filter air effectively. If the light doesn’t shine through, you need to replace the filter.
If you use reusable, washable filters, start cleaning the surface by vacuuming away dirt and grime. Wash the surface of the filter with clean water, and place the filter on a dry towel to allow it to fully dry before placing it back into the furnace compartment.
Although most people believe that a HVAC filter is meant to clean the air coming into their home, this is not its main purpose. The main purpose of a filter is to protect the furnace itself. The filter protects the heat exchangers, motors, and other HVAC components from dirt and dust coming in through the return duct. Never run your furnace or HVAC system without the proper filter.
Air filters come in many different sizes. It is important that you select a replacement filter that fits your unit’s filter cabinet correctly. The easiest way to determine the correct size is to measure your current filter. You will probably need to remove it to measure it. Make sure you note the direction of the airflow arrow on the filter's frame before removing it. Having the correct height, width and thickness are all important. Once you have determined the correct filter size, you may find it helpful to write the dimensions on the front of the air handler for future reference.
One of the most important factors to consider when choosing a furnace filter is the filter’s MERV rating (minimum efficiency reporting value). Selecting a filter with the highest MERV rating is not necessarily the best option. In fact, as the MERV rating goes up, air flow goes down—forcing your HVAC system to work harder to push air through it. Before purchasing a new filter, check your equipment manual to determine the highest-rated MERV filter that is recommended for your system. Be sure to buy a filter with a MERV rating below your system’s maximum.
After you have finished changing the filter, don’t forget to turn the furnace switch back on.
(4) Check your furnace pilot light, if it has one
If you have a furnace manufactured prior to 2010 it likely has a small, constantly burning flame, called a pilot light. Newer gas furnaces use electronic ignition systems instead of pilot lights to light the burners.
If your furnace does have a pilot light, it's usually located near the bottom of the furnace, either in front or behind a small access panel. You might also be able to see it through a window on the front. You may need to remove the furnace cover panel to see the pilot light and burner assembly. If your pilot light is burning blue, all is well. If you find that your pilot light is off, shuts off frequently or is burning yellow or another color you should have it examined by a professional.
(5) Test the heating system
Turn the thermostat up to power on the heating cycle and listen for any strange banging, rattling, squealing, or other noises. Give your system 5 to 10 minutes to warm up. Check that all registers and vents in your home are open and not blocked, allowing for proper airflow. Check the supply registers to make sure the air coming through feels warm. If you discover anything unusual you might want to call a professional now, to investigate the problem further.
(6) Inspect the burner flames
Turn your furnace off by flipping the electrical power switch. Once you’re sure that the furnace is off, remove the combustion chamber door. If your furnace has a burner cover you may need to remove it to see the burner flames. You may need to remove a few screws to remove the burner cover.
Turn the furnace’s power switch back on and activate the burners by turning your thermostat up so you can inspect the flames coming from the burners. A safe and clean flame will burn with an even blue tint. Yellow or orange flames indicate dirt in the burner, which can lead to lower efficiency of combustion (and less heat as a result). If you notice a flickering flame, there might not be enough oxygen to complete combustion, this could lead to other major issues. If your flames are not even and blue, call a professional to do the cleaning and adjusting needed.
You may find other articles that recommend you vacuum out the burner chamber yourself. We recommend you leave that to the professionals. There are many delicate parts that can be disturbed if you are not careful cleaning a furnace burner chamber.
Other articles recommend you remove and clean the blower also. This is another task we feel should be best left to someone with adequate experience.
(7) Check the condensate line
If you have a high efficiency furnace or an air conditioning system it has a condensation line to carry moisture away from the unit. This condensation line is usually either a copper or white PVC pipe on the side or front of your furnace. This keeps the furnace dry and prevents the buildup of mold or mildew that can circulate throughout your home.
Check your condensate line to make sure it is working properly. Your condensate drain line will likely have an access port on it to aid in clearing clogs. If so, it will be located near where the condensate line originates on your indoor equipment. Simply pour a bit of water down the access port to test if it is clogged. If water comes out the end, everything is fine. If not, you will need to clear the clog to ensure that your system doesn’t leak water where it shouldn’t.
(8) Check air intake and exhaust pipes
One of the key components to any furnace is oxygen. The air intake pipe is the part of your furnace that lets oxygen into the combustion chamber, while the exhaust pipe carries your furnace’s harmful emissions out of your home. Both pipes typically run to the roof or side of your home’s exterior.
If the air intake or exhaust pipes are blocked, your furnace is likely not running properly and may allow harmful fumes to enter your home. Go outside and make sure the air intake and exhaust are not blocked by snow, vegetation, animal nests, or other debris.
(9) Check for leaky ducts
Check the air ducts for any gaps or cracks that may leak air. Pay special attention to the return ducts because they’re more likely to have leaks. You can use silicone caulk or special metal tape to seal the leaks. Sealing any gaps or cracks will improve the efficiency of your system.
(10) Test your thermostat for proper operation
Make sure the functions, settings, and fan speeds, if applicable, work properly. Ensure the date, time, and programmed schedules are correct. Replace your thermostat’s battery, if it has one, at the beginning of every heating and cooling season.
Other items
Clean your humidifier
Some HVAC systems include a whole-house humidifier to add moisture to the home’s air. Evaporative humidifiers use a pad to soak up water. The furnace air blows through the pad, and the water evaporates into water vapor and blows through the ducts. Steam humidifiers boil water to introduce humidity to the air in the ductwork.
If you have an evaporative humidifier, remove the evaporative pad. Wipe out the interior of the humidifier cabinet, flush the water supply, and drain tubes with a vinegar solution to remove dirt and mineral deposits. Replace the evaporative pad with a new one. The pad should be replaced once a year.
If you have a steam humidifier, turn it off and wait for the drain cycle to complete. Shut off the power supply to the unit. Remove and clean the overflow pan and tank with a vinegar solution. Remove the O-ring from the overflow tank, and clean the orifice beneath it. Replace the O-ring if it’s damaged. Consult the manufacturer’s directions for how often the water filter should be replaced, if it contains one.
Test any smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
Functioning smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in the house are essential, especially when you have a fuel combustion furnace. Gas is highly flammable and explosive, and carbon monoxide is deadly. Test your detectors, and replace the batteries every six months. You should replace the detectors themselves every five to ten years as the manufacturer recommends.
Test your furnace at least three times in early fall before the cold weather arrives. It’s best to find out if there is going to be a problem now, instead of when it’s -10 degrees outside.
We hope the above DIY furnace maintenance tips will help keep your furnace in great shape for a long time. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you encounter a problem or need assistance maintaining your furnace.
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