Household gas furnace
Regular home furnace maintenance does not have to be complicated. There are many things you can do yourself to keep your furnace running at peak performance. You just need to know a few simple tips and procedures. Does this Spark an idea?
The basics
Before doing any maintenance work on any furnace, make sure the power is turned off. Some have a switch on the side of the unit, or you can flip the circuit breaker in your electrical box to off.
Turn off any gas or oil feed lines that run to your unit.
If there are any initial problems with your furnace like the smell of gas or the electrical power keeps tripping at the breaker box, this is not a do-it-yourself type problem, and a professional furnace technician should be called.
Regular maintenance
Furnace maintenance should be done once per year. The spring or summer is usually the best time, because if a problem is found, you'll have time to fix it yourself, or call a professional, before the furnace is needed. And because spring and summer are the off-season for heating professionals, they might be quicker to respond and might even charge you less.
Furnace filters
Clean or replace the filter. Pull the old filter out and hold it up to any light source. If you can't see through it, it needs to be replaced, or per the manufacturers instructions on the furnace itself, it may be cleaned. Ideally, this should be a monthly and not a seasonal routine.
Filters are very inexpensive yet are vital to the air quality of your home and the efficiency of your blower fan. If you aren't sure, always replace.
Blowers and motors
Many times just removing the filter will give you access to the blower. However, there may also be an access panel that can also be removed.
The blades on the blower often collect dust and debris. An old toothbrush can brush this dirt off and doing so will increase airflow and efficiency.
Most modern motors have sealed bearings and need no further maintenance. However, some will have oil ports to lubricate the bearings with. If that's the case, fill up each port, and it may only take three or four drops--there will be one on the front and back of the motor--with regular 10 weight non detergent motor oil or certified bearing lube, which can be found at any hardware store.
Pulleys and belts.
Check the belt for looseness, cracks and glazing. Any cracks or glazing means the belt needs to be changed. To be sure of the correct size, take the used one into a hardware store and let them match it for you.
If the belt is loose with a play of about 1/2-inch to 3/4-inch, it needs to be tightened. Merely loosen the attachment bracket that holds the pulley or the motor, pull it until the belt is tight, and then tighten down the bracket.
Keeping it clean
Finally, clean everything before you go. You can use a regular or a shop vacuum with brush attachment and clean out all the nooks and crannies where dirt and dust might hide.
Clean off the motor and belt, the blower cage, the brackets for the filter and the area in and around the furnace.
Then replace all the access panels, turn the gas or oil feeds back on, and turn on the power. You'll be good to go until next year.
Tags: cracks glazing, hardware store, spring summer, your furnace
