This is a brief and simple instruction manual on what a home owner can do to properly maintain their gas furnace and ventilation system. Anything beyond what this covers should be referred to a qualified, certified, professional heating and air conditioning technician.
1Turn off the electrical power to your furnace at the switch that should be located on or near the furnace.Ad
2Locate the filter access.
3Open the filter access and remove the filter.
4If you haven't done this already, look on the filter for the size and write the filter size and type on the furnace or near the filter access using a permanent marker.
5Change your furnace filter every three months if you use a pleated or polyester filter; every month if it is a fiberglass filter; every month if there is smoking or pets inside the home regardless of the type of filter you use.
6If your filter is located inside the blower compartment of the furnace take the time to vacuum out any dust and dirt that may have accumulated using a brush attachment. Take care not to damage any wiring inside of this compartment.
7Place the old filter into a plastic bag to prevent dust from getting back into your home and dispose of it in a trash can, do not put it into your recycle can.
8Put the new filter into the filter compartment, making sure to remove all packaging materials from the filter.
9Close the filter access and make sure all fasteners, clips or screws used to keep the access closed are put back into place.
10Turn the power switch or circuit breaker on.
11If your furnace doesn't come on you can test it to make sure it comes back on by turning up the temperature setting on your thermostat control.
12If you turned up the thermostat be sure to return it to its original setting.Ad
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- Different types of filters offer different levels of filtering efficiency; the greater the efficiency of the filter the cleaner the air in your home and also the greater the cost of the filter.
- Check which way the arrow is pointing on the side of the filter you are REMOVING. Make sure you position the replacement filter the same way.
- Usually filter access is located inside the blower compartment of the furnace itself or in the return air duct(the duct that goes directly to the blower compartment) of the furnace
- When you turn your furnace on it may take time for it to fire and for the blower to turn on, usually 30 to 90 seconds on newer models of furnaces. Older furnaces will usually fire up immediately with the blower coming on after the heat exchanger has warmed up.
- Filters can usually be purchased at your local hardware store, home improvement center or supermarket.
- Sometimes electrical panels aren't so conveniently labeled and you will have to use the process of elimination by turning off breakers while somebody stands by the furnace to hear it turn off while you switch off breakers.
- If you cannot locate a switch on or near your furnace then turn off the power at the circuit breaker switch in the home's electrical panel. You can usually locate this on your circuit breaker panel by looking for the label "furnace" or "heater"
- Failure to change your furnace filter on a regular basis will lower the quality of the air in your home and shorten the life of your furnace. If you have a central air conditioner the cooling coil will get blocked by unfiltered dust and debris over time and will result in a costly cleaning, repair or replacement of part or all of your heating and air conditioning system.
- CAUTIONFurnaces contain moving parts,low voltage(24 Volt) and high voltage(120-240 Volt) electrical circuits and use FLAMMABLE hydrocarbon fuels(natural gas, fuel oil, propane) which is why it is critical to disconnect the power to your furnace. Exercise great caution when opening up your furnace by making sure the power is disconnected, the blower has stopped moving, and the burners and ignitor are off before doing any maintenance on your furnace.
- If you do not feel comfortable doing anything with your furnace, even changing the filter, please call a qualified, reputable, certified heating and air conditioning service company to work on your furnace.
- EXPLOSION DANGER! If you smell gas while around your furnace or in your home don't use any electrical device(switches, cell phones, computers, appliances, etc...) and get everyone out of the house! If it is handy use a crescent wrench to turn off the gas to your house at the gas meter outside and call the gas company and/or emergency services(911) at a neighbors house, don't even use your cell phone near your home.
- CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING! If you or any or all of your family experience nausea, head aches, vomiting, or shortness of breath for no apparent reason get everyone out of the house and call emergency services and the gas company and DO NOT go back into your home until it has been checked out and cleared by licensed, certified and properly equipped professionals. You may be experiencing Carbon Monoxide poisoning due to a leak in the heat exchanger of your furnace or back drafting of the flue vent on your furnace or water heater.
Things You'll Need
- Depending on the installation and type of furnace you have in your home you may need a flat head, Phillips, or 1⁄4 inch (0.6 cm) hex screwdriver to access your filter. In most cases the filter is accessed by a sliding sheet metal door or a door that is fastened by thumb screws or latches or simply opened by lifting and removing the panel(usually on the furnace).