How To Clean Your Furnace Motor And Filter

Posted on: 4 May 2016

You don't have to be an HVAC expert to make your furnace run a little smoother and more efficient. There are many common problems with furnaces that can be fixed with very little training or tools. Perhaps the most common problem that you can fix on your own is to clean the motor and filter. This article explains how you can access your motor, and then clean it and the filter for better airflow and efficiency in your HVAC system.

Accessing the Furnace Cabinet

The first thing you need to do is access the main compartment to your furnace cabinet. Most newer furnaces have doors that can be opened without any tools. However, some older furnace doors need to be removed by taking out a few screws. Once the door is removed, you can turn off the power to the unit. Most furnaces have a simple power switch inside the main compartment.

Identifying the Furnace Filter

Once you are inside the cabinet you should be able to easily see the filter. It is within a small slot-like compartment and is often labeled. The filter is usually less than 1" thick but about the size of a big pizza box (but not always perfectly square). Once you pull the filter out of the slot you can inspect it. If the filter is caked up with dirt or mold you should immediately replace it. If your filter is more or less clean, you can just dust it off and put it back in place. However, in most cases it is easier and more practical to just completely replace your filter with a new one.

Cleaning the Motor

Since the filter is meant to block dirty from reaching the motor, the dirtiness of your motor usually depends on how dirty your filter is. Also, if your filter is improperly installed, it obviously won't work very well. Regardless, you will want to use a hose vacuum to clean out the furnace slot, and the actual motor as well as possible. This works best if you have a brush attachment for your hose vacuum.

Finally, you can turn the power back on to your furnace and close the door. Once you put everything back together and give your furnace a test run, you should enjoy greater airflow and cleaner air pumping through your system. This is a simple project and your should do it at least once a year. To find out more, speak with a business like Triad Heating & Cooling Inc.

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