How Do I Clean a Furnace or a Heat Pump?

Furnace Cleaning in Concord, NC

A furnace or a heat pump is an essential feature in a household, especially during the cold season. It heats the house and provides warmth to the occupants. Consequently, it’s vital to ensure your furnace or heat pump is well maintained so you get the best out of it for the longest time. Up to a point, cleaning your furnace is a simple exercise you can undertake for yourself, but beyond that, it’s best if trust the more complex aspects to our conscientious technicians at All Temp Co., Inc Air Conditioning, Heating, Plumbing, & Electrical.

How to Clean a Furnace

The first step is to assemble the equipment you’ll require to open the furnace and access all the parts for cleaning. You should make sure you have your screwdrivers, socket set and vacuum cleaner. You should also have a brush to access certain places. In addition, have a new furnace filter, a cloth and machine oil for the moving parts.

Second, switch off any power to the furnace and shut off the gas supply. You can cut the electrical power at the breaker box to ensure there is no current. All you have to do is turn the gas off at its valve. It is crucial to switch off the electricity since you don’t want to suffer a serious injury during the cleaning process. The gas could also collect or even blow up. Your safety should always come first.

Then, you can start by cleaning the outer surface of the furnace using the cloth. Make sure it is a bit damp so that it wipes well. Next, you can go on and remove the access door and loosen the screws to the burner cover. Once you have removed the burner cover, you are ready to vacuum the furnace and the burners. Make sure you clean the whole base and reach the back. Vacuum every compartment. As you’re doing so, look out for any soot. Soot may indicate that your furnace is not in good condition and should be checked.

You can remove the blower by unscrewing the control panel and removing any bolts that hold it. Make sure you are careful not to damage any wires or the fans. Clean it with the vacuum, and use the brush for any dirt that the vacuum doesn’t readily pick up. Make sure it is cleaned thoroughly. After you are done, don’t forget to oil the blower motor with a bit of lubricating oil. Two to three drops should do.

The next part to clean should be the flame sensor. The flame sensor is essential in lighting the furnace. It should be cleaned carefully using an emery cloth. It would then be best to inspect the drive belt for any cracks. A drive belt is very easy to replace and costs about $10.

Finally, take out your air filter and replace it with a new one. Make sure the new air filter meets the manufacturer’s recommendations so that it functions optimally with your furnace. An air filter that does not fit well may overwork the furnace and make it inefficient. Once you have done all this, you can turn the power and gas back on and light your burners. Turn the thermostat up to check the type of flame produced. If the flame is yellow, the burners need to be cleaned. This job is best left to a professional because it is very tricky. You can always rely on one of our technicians from All Temp Co., Inc Air Conditioning, Heating, Plumbing, & Electrical.

If your heating ducts serve as the AC ducts, make sure you adjust the dampers for seasonal settings.

How to Clean a Heat Pump

Cleaning a heat pump is easier than cleaning a furnace. First, you have to make sure the heat pump is off to avoid any possibility of electrocution or damage to the equipment. Remove your heat pump’s cover to expose the filter. Remove the filter by lifting it out, and use a vacuum to lightly clean each side. This should be a straightforward exercise since the only dirt on most air filters is dust.

After cleaning the filter, go back to your heat pump. The inner coils are exposed now that you have removed the filter. Clean the coils using your vacuum to remove any dirt. You can also use a small brush or a cloth to access any dirt the vacuum fails to dislodge. After this, make sure you carefully replace the filter and the cover. You’re done.

If you have any trouble with your heating equipment in or near Concord or Harrisburg, NC, or if you feel somewhat intimidated of cleaning it yourself, reach out to us at All Temp Co., Inc Air Conditioning, Heating, Plumbing, & Electrical. We offer a complete range of residential and commercial installation, maintenance and repair services for air conditioning, furnaces and heat pumps. You can also count on us for indoor air quality and energy audits. We’ll even look after your wine cellar, and we guarantee our customers 100% satisfaction. Call us today.

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