Simple Ways to Clean a Furnace or Heat Pump
When most people think about cleaning their furnace, they immediately imagine a dusty old space that’s filled with spiders and cobwebs. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. A clean furnace can provide more heating efficiency and better indoor air quality for your home. Here are some ways you can keep your furnace running smoothly.
Inspect the Coils
The coils on your furnace are what heat up the air in your home. These coils need to be cleaned at least once a year, and they can get dirty very quickly if you have pets or children running around inside of the house. Use a vacuum cleaner with an extension hose for this job; it will make quick work of any dirt, dust, or pet hair that’s built up on the coils. In addition to cleaning the coils, you should also inspect them for any damage. If you see any cracks, tears, or other signs of wear, it’s time to replace the coils.
Vacuum the Blower
The blower is what moves the heated air around your home, and it can quickly become clogged with dust and pet hair. Use a vacuum cleaner with an extension hose to clean out all the dirt and debris that has built up in the blower. Be sure to pay special attention to where the blower meets the blower grate.
Be sure to also remove any clogs that you find after vacuuming out the blower. Clogs can prevent your furnace from operating efficiently, which means higher energy bills for you in the long run. If there are any clogs within your system, it may be time to replace your heating and cooling system entirely because it indicates that your furnace is far beyond repair.
Clean the Filtration System
All central heating systems have some kind of filtration system attached to them. The filter keeps dust, dirt, and other contaminants from entering the rest of your furnace. It should be replaced every three months during heavy use seasons or annually if you live in a dusty climate that promotes lots of wear on your filters. Filters are fairly cheap and easy to replace, so there’s no excuse for not keeping them clean.
If you don’t regularly change or clean your filters, they’ll become clogged with dust, pet hair, and other contaminants. This will prevent the furnace from operating efficiently and can cause issues such as a decrease in heating performance and an increase in energy bills.
Contact Us Today
When you take the time to clean your furnace, not only will it provide better heat and air quality for your home, but you’ll also save yourself some energy bills in the long run. For more information about how you can clean your furnace, contact us at Guidry's Air Conditioning & Refrigeration, Inc today. We also offer services like furnace installation, replacement, and maintenance in Raceland, LA, and the surrounding areas.
