Having a dirty gas furnace can be quite disturbing for any homeowner. If you are looking for some easy tips on how to clean a gas furnace, you have come to the right place! Here are some wonderful, and super fast tips that will help you clean your gas furnace!
Why is it important to clean your gas furnace?
A dirty gas furnace contributes to much more than just an unaesthetic appeal to your home. Having an unclean gas furnace can lower the efficiency of the stove, as well as the air quality in your home. Especially when talking about the filter of the burner. It is essential to regularly clean and maintains your gas furnace to make sure that it is working at its optimal capacity, and you and the other members of your home and warm, cozy and comfortable!
Make sure you switch off all of the switches on your gas furnace and allow it to cool so that you do not injure yourself during the cleaning process.
How to clean the blower assembly using a vacuum cleaner
The blower assembly is the component of your gas furnace that is responsible for sucking in air from the back of the stove, heating it, and blowing the hot air out again. If you don’t clean this component correctly, the blower will push dirt and dust into your home. Here is how you can get rid of all the dirt from the blower assembly:
- Unscrew the main control panel and use a socket and ratchet to remove the bolts which are holding the blower.
- Gently remove the blower from its place.
- Without disturbing or moving any of the fan blades or wiring from the blower, use a small, handheld vacuum cleaner to clean the blower fan blades. You can also use a small brush or a stiff bristle brush to do this.
- You need to be extremely careful while doing this as you don’t want to disturb the wiring or the blades.
- Keep the handheld vacuum on the lowest fan setting while doing this.
How to clean the blower assembly using a toothbrush
Using mild soap and water is required every once in a while when you are cleaning the blower assembly of your gas furnace. You can remove all the dirt and dust with just a brush or the vacuum; however, the soap and water solution will dislodge any grime or stubborn dirt from the blower assembly, making it function optimally again.
- Take a very mild soap, such as a hand wash or dishwashing soap.
- Add a few drops of this soap to a mug of warm water.
- Take a toothbrush and dip it into this soap water solution.
- Gently run the toothbrush over the fan blades and in between them to dislodge any stuck dirt or grime.
- Using a soft, damp cloth (it should be clean), wipe off the blades to remove all the dust and dirt.
- Use a clean, dry cloth to wipe down the blades gently once again. Be very careful when handling the fan blades.
How to clean the air filter with a vacuum cleaner
Even if you have a replaceable filter, you will still need to clean it every once in a while to ensure that dirt and debris are not stuck to it, as this will compromise the working capacity of the filter.
- Gently remove the filter from its place and place it on the ground with the dirty side up.
- Vacuum the air filter to remove any of the visible dust, dirt, and debris from it.
- Take the air filter outside your home, so you do not dirty the inside of your house when you do this.
- Rinse off the air filter using warm water, and dry it thoroughly before placing it back on to your gas furnace.
How to clean the air filter using soap water
Your air filter will need periodic cleaning to remove all the stuck-up dust and dirt from it. Use a mild soap water solution to clean your air filter thoroughly. You can use this method in your sink, in your bathtub, or just using a bucket of warm soapy water.
- Whichever place you decide to clean your air filter (your bathtub, your sink or outside your house), make a warm soapy water solution using a few drops of mild dishwashing soap and some warm water.
- Soak the air filter in this solution for a few minutes (if you are using the sink or the bathtub). If you are using a bucket of water, then pour the warm soapy water over the air filter and use a toothbrush to exfoliate gently.
- Be very careful not to damage the filter.
- Allow the air filter to dry off well before putting it back into your gas furnace.
How to clean the pilot using a straw
A dirty pilot can give your flame sensor a false reading. It is essential to keep this component of your gas furnace clean as well.
- Turn off your pilot.
- Take a regular drinking straw and aim it at the pilot.
- Blow out through the straw to intricately yet delicately blow off any dust and dirt from the pilot. This method is a far more precise one than using a small vacuum or even a brush or a cloth.
- Make sure you do not touch this part of the gas furnace as it can be quite dangerous, and can also break off easily.
How to clean the pilot light with a wire brush
Your furnace can refuse to light if the pilot light is covered in soot, dust or grime. Here is how you can clean it:
- Turn off the gas on your furnace and wait for a few minutes first.
- Open the furnace cover and carefully remove the pilot light using pliers and a wrench.
- Use a wire brush to scrub the pilot light, but be gentle while doing so.
- Use a metal file to get to the hard to reach areas and clean any stubborn build up.
- Wipe down the pilot with a soft cloth and place it back carefully into your gas furnace.
I appreciate how you did an in-depth explanation of the importance of cleaning the blower assembly of a furnace. I never knew that there is a tube that navigates the heat towards the house. My wife and I plan to clean our unit on our own, but we will hire a specialist in furnace cleaning if things get too bothersome for us.