Clean the Burners

Before you begin working on the furnace, be sure to flip the electrical switch off and even toggle the respective circuit breaker off. You should also cut off the fuel supply. Then, remove the combustion chamber door. Vacuum the furnace base and the burners. Clean off any and all dust that you can and look for signs of soot. This fine black powder indicates poor combustion and might call for an HVAC technician. Rooter Hero Plumbing is happy to help.

Clean the Blower

Next, remove the blower and thoroughly vacuum inside. You can also use a small brush but be careful not to damage the wiring or disrupt the counterweights on the fan blades. If you are not confident in working sensitively, then leave this work to trained technicians. Throwing the components off balance can disturb the unit’s functionality.

Change the Furnace Filter

The furnace filter ensures you are getting good, clean air in your home, but it also protects the furnace’s fan, heating coil, and other components from dust, dirt, and other particles. It is best to check the owner’s manual for guidelines on how and when to remove the furnace filter, but, typically, you should change a basic fiberglass filter once every couple of months and a paper furnace filter once every three to four months.

Clean Other Components

Blow off any dust you find on the pilot or hot surface igniters. These parts are extremely sensitive, so avoid even touching them. You can clean them by blowing through a drinking straw. Then, remove the flame sensor by pulling it down out of its bracket. Lightly clean its surface with fine emery cloth and put the sensor back in place.

Oil the Motor Bearings

Use a clean cloth to wipe the caps over the bearings before removing the caps. Apply two to three drops of lightweight machine oil to each bearing. Do NOT overlubricate. Finally, put the caps back on.

When to Call for A Professional Technician

Your furnace is a valuable and complex unit with many sensitive components. When these parts become worn or damaged, it is time to call Rooter Hero Plumbing to hire an HVAC technician. You might also want to hire an HVAC technician in Clairemont Mesa to perform the maintenance tasks if you are worried about damaging the sensitive parts of the system. Rooter Hero Plumbing is always happy to help with reliable, affordable, and accessible services. Call now to get your free price estimate upfront.