How Often Should I Clean My Furnace?

9/25/2020 (Permalink)

Keep your furnace clean and maintained to avoid any flood

Like any system with moving parts, furnaces need maintenance. Those that are maintained will run smoothly and rarely need repair. Regular maintenance is not hard to do, so keeping up with a cleaning schedule should be fairly easy. To avoid unnecessary risk of damage or fire, cleaning the unit should happen on a schedule, allowing for a warm, comfortable environment in New Briton, PA, for many years.

There are Four Main Types of Furnaces:

1. Electric
   
2. Natural gas
   
3. Oil
   
4. Propane
   
   

When is the best time to clean a furnace?
At the beginning of the Season
Dirt is the enemy of a heating system. A neglected system can be overloaded, so to avoid compromised airflow and the risk of fire, cleaning the unit is essential. The filter, blower, and blower motor are the critical areas to keep clean. If the homeowner is not familiar with disassembling the unit, a professional HVAC service can help. The filter should be changed at the start of cooler weather before the furnace runs on a regular basis.

Once a Month During Continuous Use
The filter traps dirt, dust, pet hair, and tobacco smoke, cleaning the air before it enters the unit. Pets, children, and tobacco smokers influence how often the filter will need changing. Remove the filter and inspect it in the light. If it appears very dirty or clogged, replace it.

At the End of the Season
As the season changes to warmer weather, look over the unit's critical areas. See if continuous use has caused any dirt to settle inside. Change the filter.
While there is a low risk of a furnace causing a fire, cleaning and inspecting the system on a regular basis will help prevent a dangerous situation. If the unexpected happens and there is a fire around or near the unit, file a claim with your insurance company and ask for authorization of a fire remediation company. A furnace unit that has been inspected and maintained will give homeowners comfort during many cold-weather seasons in New Briton, PA.