For the most part heating
systems are usually trouble free and easy to maintain. Efficient operation is a
function of good regular maintenance. No matter what type of furnace you have,
there are several things you can do to keep your heating system in top
condition. We will tell you how to service and troubleshoot your gas furnace,
regardless of the type. Before we get to the furnace repair section, let's start
with some steps you can take before your furnace shuts down.
Cleaning your Furnace or furnace cleaning.
Dirt is the biggest enemy for a gas furnace. It can waste fuel and drastically
lower efficiency. Dirt affects all the furnace basic components of your furnace,
so cleaning is the most important part of regular maintenance. The main parts of
the furnace should be cleaned: the filter system, the blower, and the furnace
motor.
The furnace filter should be replaced or cleaned at the beginning of the heating
season and about once a month during periods of continuous use. To check the
filter, take it out and hold it up to the light. If it looks clogged, it
probally is replace it with a new filter of the same type and size regardless of
the length of time it has been used.
A
disposable furnace filter consists of a fiber mesh in a cardboard frame. The
size of the filter is printed on the edge of the frame. An arrow on the edge of
the frame indicates the correct direction of airflow through the filter. Air
flows from the return-air duct toward the blower, so the arrow on the filter
should point away from the return-air duct and toward the blower.
A permanent filter is usually sprayed with a special filter-coating chemical,
available at hardware stores and home centers. Clean this type of filter
according to the manufacturer's instructions, which are usually attached to the
furnace housing. Here's how to replace a filter:
Step 1: Look for metal panel on front of
furnace below return-air duct, between duct and blower system. Panel may be
marked filter, or it may form lid or front of boxlike projection on furnace
housing.
Step 2: Slip panel off its holding hooks,
or unscrew panel from box or furnace housing. On some heating units, filters are
exposed; just slip filter up and out of U-shape tracks that hold it in place.
Step 3: Inspect and replace or clean
filter, depending on type.
Step 4: Clean blower assembly, belts and
pulleys to blower, and motor housing. Cleaning blower is critical if furnace has
a squirrel-cage fan, because openings in this type of blower often become
clogged with dirt. To clean blower, remove panel that covers filter to gain
access to blower or panel on front of furnace. This panel may be slip-fit on
hooks or held by series of retaining screws. Access to inside of blower is
usually gained by sliding out fan unit, which is held on track by screws.