How to Clean a Furnace: A Step‑by‑Step Guide

Before you jump right into cleaning your large, expensive furnace for the first time, take the following safety precautions:

• Turn off power and gas: Ensure the furnace is completely off to avoid accidents.
• Gather safety gear: Use gloves, goggles, and a dust mask to protect yourself.
• Ensure proper ventilation: Open windows or use a fan to avoid inhaling dust and debris.

Some furnaces may have model-specific guidelines, so always check your user manual before proceeding. Note that these steps are general guidelines, but you should always follow your manufacturer’s instructions.

A furnace filter protects your furnace’s blower fan by filtering all the dust and debris the filter pulls in. A clogged filter can restrict airflow, leading to decreased efficiency and other issues, such as dirty coils and air ducts.

Take the following steps to clean your furnace filter:

• Locate and remove the filter: Find the filter, typically located near the blower compartment.
• Inspect and clean or replace: Depending on the filter type, either vacuum it or replace it with a new one.
• Reinstall the filter: Ensure the filter is properly fitted back into place.

A furnace blower blows hot air from the furnace into the ducts around your home. When a furnace blower is dirty, it becomes much harder for it to blow the air. This often means it takes longer for your house to warm, and your heating bill rises.

Here’s how you can clean your furnace blower:

• Access the blower compartment: Remove the access panel to reach the blower.
• Remove dust and debris: Use a vacuum or brush to clean the blower blades and surrounding area.
• Check for obstructions: Ensure there are no blockages affecting airflow.

Furnaces have a combustion chamber where burners ignite and burn gas to produce hot air for the home.

The combustion chamber is usually located below the heat exchanger. Burners are typically located within the chamber.

Wondering how to clean the heat exchanger on a furnace? You can clean the furnace burners, heat exchanger, and combustion chamber by following these steps:

• Inspect the burners: Look for soot or debris on the burners.
• Clean the burners: Use a soft brush or vacuum to remove any buildup.
• Check the combustion chamber: Remove any dust or debris using a vacuum or brush.

Reassembling the furnace correctly is a critical final step in your cleaning routine. Here’s what you’ll need to do to wrap things up:

• Reassemble the furnace: Put all panels and components back in place.
• Turn on power and gas: Restore power and gas supply, and ensure the furnace operates correctly.
• Check for proper operation: Verify that the furnace heats effectively and listen for unusual noises. If the furnace doesn’t function correctly, immediately call a professional.