Taking Care of Your Furnace for Clean Air

Taking care of a furnace involves simple, regular maintenance tasks you can perform yourself, combined with annual professional inspections to ensure safety and efficiency.

Annual Maintenance is a Must!

1. Regularly Check and Replace the Air Filter

A dirty air filter is the most common cause of furnace problems, restricting airflow and decreasing efficiency. Check your filter monthly, especially during peak heating season, and replace it when it appears dirty. Filters are usually located in the return air duct or in the furnace unit itself and are labeled with their size for easy replacement.

2. Keep the Area Around the Furnace Clear

Ensure the furnace area is free of clutter, flammable materials, and dust. The furnace needs adequate space for proper airflow and safe operation.

3. Clear Vents and Registers

Make sure all supply and return air registers throughout your home are open and unobstructed by furniture or rugs. Blocking too many vents can cause the furnace to overheat and lose efficiency. Vacuum the registers to remove accumulated dust and hair.

4. Clean the Flame Sensor

A dirty flame sensor can cause the furnace to shut off unexpectedly. You can gently remove the sensor (after turning off power to the furnace) and wipe the white buildup off with a clean, crisp dollar bill or a piece of fine-grit sandpaper, as a soft cloth isn’t abrasive enough.

5. Check and Clean the Condensate Trap/Drain Line

High-efficiency furnaces produce condensation. The condensate trap and drain lines can get clogged with gunk or even bugs. Regularly check and clean this area by flushing it with water until the black residue stops coming out.

Annual Professional Maintenance

Schedule a professional HVAC technician to inspect your furnace annually, ideally before the heating season begins. A professional will:

Perform thorough cleaning of internal components like the blower motor and heat exchanger.
Check for dangerous cracks in the heat exchanger, which can leak carbon monoxide into your home.
Inspect all electrical connections and components for wear and ensure proper voltage and amp draw.
Verify the furnace is level for correct operation.
Test safety controls and overall system operation.

Regular professional maintenance is essential for safety, extending the lifespan of your unit, and ensuring it runs efficiently.

What are signs of urgent repair?

Several signs indicate a furnace needs urgent repair to avoid a complete system breakdown or, more importantly, a safety hazard.

If you notice any of these critical signs, shut off your furnace immediately and contact a professional HVAC technician:

Safety Hazards

Carbon Monoxide (CO) Detector Alerts: If your carbon monoxide alarm goes off, this is a life-threatening emergency. Evacuate your home immediately and call emergency services or your gas provider from a safe location.
Rotten Egg Smell (Gas Leak): Natural gas companies add a chemical that smells like sulfur or rotten eggs to help you detect leaks. If you notice this smell, turn off the gas supply, leave the house, and call your utility company or 911 immediately.
Yellow or Flickering Pilot Light: A healthy gas furnace pilot light should be a steady blue. A yellow or orange flame indicates incomplete combustion, which can produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide.
Visible Cracks or Rust on the Unit: The presence of cracks, especially on the heat exchanger, is a major safety concern as it can allow carbon monoxide to leak into your home.
Smoke or Burning Smells: A persistent burning odor (beyond the initial dusty smell when starting the furnace for the season) or smoke from the vents can indicate an electrical problem or overheating components and is a fire hazard.

Operational Failures

No Heat or Inadequate Heating: If your furnace is blowing cold air or not producing enough heat to keep your home warm, especially during extreme temperatures, it’s an urgent issue to prevent discomfort and potential frozen pipes.
Unusual Noises: Loud banging, clanking, screeching, or grinding sounds often point to loose or broken components, a failing blower motor, or issues with the burner.
Frequent Cycling (Short Cycling): When the furnace repeatedly turns on and off in short bursts, it is struggling to maintain the set temperature and is putting excessive strain on its components, which can lead to a complete breakdown.
Water Pooling: Puddles of water around the furnace, particularly with high-efficiency models, can indicate a clogged condensate line or a damaged heat exchanger.
Circuit Breaker Tripping Repeatedly: This is a clear sign of an underlying electrical problem that requires immediate attention from a professional to prevent fire hazards.

Final Thought:

When in doubt, hire a professional!