How to Clean a Gas Furnace

Gas furnaces run for months at a time, and they need regular cleaning and maintenance to provide reliable heating for your home. Hiring a professional for a furnace tune-up and cleaning is a great way to take care of your furnace before the winter season. A professional furnace cleaning ensures your furnace runs efficiently, reduces the chance of an emergency repair, and extends the lifespan of the unit.

The average cost of a professional furnace tune-up is between $100 and $200. The final cost will depend on the size of your furnace, fuel type, age, and level of service required. Click here to see what you can expect from a furnace tune-up.

We highly recommend hiring a professional to clean your furnace, but if you are in a pinch or would like to clean your furnace in between professional tune-ups, here’s how. If this is your first time cleaning your furnace, we strongly recommend consulting with a professional!

Note: Before you start taking your furnace apart, always make sure you shut the power off from the breaker box and shut the gas valve.

Replace the Filter

The simplest way you can—and should—prepare your furnace for the winter season is by replacing the filter. A dirty filter will inhibit airflow making your unit work harder to heat your home. A dirty filter will also not clean the air properly, creating dust and debris buildup and increasing your chances of needing a repair.

Clean the Blower Unit

This is one of the more complicated parts to clean in a furnace, and we strongly recommend leaving this to a professional. The blower motor has counterweights and wiring that are easy to disturb and this is one of the more expensive pieces to replace.

To clean the blower unit yourself, remove the control panel if it is in the way, then carefully remove the blower unit. Gently vacuum all dust and debris and use a small stiff brush to remove tough deposits of dirt. It’s important to clean the blower unit slowly and evenly.

Clean the Pilot or Igniter

Using compressed air or a drinking straw, carefully blow any dust off the pilot. If you have a newer furnace, you may have a hot surface igniter. Use condensed air or a straw to remove any dust, but do not touch this part as it is very fragile.

Clean the Flame Sensor

A furnace flame sensor is very important for safe operation of your furnace. The flame sensor detects the presence of a flame when the gas is on, then shuts down the system if no flame is detected.

Located on the burner assembly, it looks like a metallic rod. The flame sensor can be pulled down and out of the bracket gently for cleaning. Take an emery cloth and gently clean the surface of the flame sensor. Then slide the part back into place.

When you get a tune-up and cleaning from a professional, they will also check for any necessary repairs. This will reduce the chances of you needing an emergency furnace repair and ensure your furnace is running at peak performance.

In need of a furnace tune-up and cleaning in the Denver Metro Area? Grand Home Services is located in Aurora, Colorado and provides HVAC services throughout Denver. Call or contact us online today!