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Turn Off Gas and Electricity to Furnace:
As with all home repairs,
the first step is to turn off the power and in this case, the fuel.
There should be a switch near the furnace, if not, check the electrical
service panel and shut off the appropriate breaker. The gas line will
be connected to the furnace in a black pipe and will have a shut off
valve nearby. Turn the valve so it is perpendicular to the gas line
to shut it off.
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Vacuum the Furnace Interior:
Open the furnace door. With a vacuum
cleaner having a long snorkel attachment, vacuum out the base of the
furnace and the gas burners.
Get all the crevices cleaned of any loose dust or debris.
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Change the Air Filter:
The furnace filter is the one component that
needs to be checked and possibly changed monthly during the heating
season. Replace it as part of this seasonal maintenance. Click here to
how to steps
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Check the Fanbelt:
Just as on your car, fanbelts wear and get loose.
Check the fanbelt on your furnace that drives the blower. Inspect the
belt for glazing, cracking or fraying. If any of those signs are evident,
replace the belt. Also check the belt tension. By pushing down in the
center of the belt, it should feel taut and only deflect about 1/2" -
3/4". If it deflects more than that, tighten the belt by loosening
the attachment bracket. Then, move the motor assembly so the belt tightens
and hold the motor assembly in place while maintaining tension on the
belt. Tighten the attachment bracket.
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Lubricate Oil Bearings:
If your furnace is older or if it has a
motor without permanently sealed bearings, the bearings will need to
be oiled. Find the oiling caps. They may also be on the bearing shaft.
Drop a few drops of lightweight household oil in the oil spout below
the caps. Don't over oil.
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Replace Furnace Cover and Reconnect:
Once completed, replace the
furnace cover and turn the electrical power back on along with the
gas. Relight the pilot if necessary.
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Locate the air filter. Depending on the furnace design,
it can either be located in the blower door unit itself or located between
the blower
and the return air duct. You may need a screwdriver to help pry open
the access panel or blower door.
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Remove the filter from its support.
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Hold the filter up to light and check to see how much light passes
through.
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If it is a paper or fiberglass filter and is dirty, replace it.
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If the filter is a dry foam type filter you can wash it out or
vacuum it clean.
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With paper or fiberglass filters you may notice that the frame
is made of cardboard. Also note the arrow on the frame that shows the
direction of air flow for the filter. Insert the filter back into its
holding frame with air flow positioned correctly as per the arrow.
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With foam filters replace the cleaned or new filter as appropriate.
These are usually frameless so you will have to position it carefully
according to the design of your furnace.
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Replace the access panel or blower door as required.
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Repeat the inspection process monthly.