Your furnace plays an important part and should always be kept clean to avoid wasting fuel. A dirty furnace results to more use of fuel which in turn lowers its effectiveness. It is essential that the furnace be well-maintained and this means regular cleaning of the furnace.

It is also possible for some parts and controls to be damaged by a dirt and dust. A clean furnace will reduce wear and tear on all of the parts. A professional furnace company will reccommend that you have the furnace checked and cleaned twice a year. You can do the cleaning yourself and save some money.

Cleaning a Furnace Filter

To know how to clean your furnace, you need to be aware of the parts that need to be cleaned in order for the furnace to function efficiently. The first part one should clean is the filter. To access the filter, you will need to unscrew the access panel so that you will be able to reach the filter. After removing the filter, check for dirt and use tap water to clean it. If the dirt is not removable by water only, you can use a clean rag to clean the filter. You can also use a toothbrush to scrub out the dirt. Some filters have replacements. If this is the case, then replace the old filter with the new one. If you don’t have one, you can acquire it from a hardware store. Ensure that it is the same make and size as the previous one.

Cleaning the Blower Fan

The next part of your cleaning is the blower. The first thing you should make sure you have done is shut off all the power that runs the blower to avoid getting hurt. After this is done, remove the fan. This will require you to cut off the wires that connect the fan to the power source. It is essential that you remember which wires go to which places because you will need this information when returning the fan after cleaning it. You can use a toothbrush to clean the edges of the fan. If you have any clean rags, make them slightly damp and use them to clean off the remaining dirt. The blower usually has a belt, which you will need to check to ensure that it is not worn out. If it is worn out, replace it with a new one.

Cleaning the Heat Exchanger

Next step will be to clean the heat exchanger. This is made up of chambers, so you will need to clean each chamber separately. The dirt comes off by vacuuming, but since it is a small space and cannot fit a vacuum cleaner, you can put a vacuum hose and reduce the power. This will ensure any dirt has come off. If your furnace uses gas, remember to turn off the gas before you start cleaning the heat exchanger.

General Furnace Clean Up

After cleaning these parts, take a towel and make it a little bit damp, then use it to clean the rest of the parts. After all this is done, return all the parts accordingly. The furnace also contains a blower motor which should be kept lubricated at all times. Before lubricating, you should clean the motor using a damp rag.
While cleaning, make sure that you have the manual to see how to clean your furnace without damaging any of the parts. If you feel that you cannot be able to do it by yourself, you can always call a handy man.