Your HVAC system is a complicated one in your household, but is very important too. With its importance, you should do a regular check-up on your furnace. Regular cleaning and maintenance will help your home become energy efficient, reduce energy bills and of course keep your home warm from the cold. You are also going to be rewarded with savings if you do a maintain yourself. You can also hire furnace Anaheim if you prefer professionals working on your furnace. But as a start, do the following maintenance.  

Step 1: Turn Off Power and Gas  

It’s easy to turn off the gas and power, there would be labels on your furnace for you to look at. But if you’re not sure on how to properly do it right, turn off the gas and electricity to your furnace. If you don’t have any experience with this sort of things, better call a professional instead.  

Step 2: Clean the Inside Parts 

Open the access panels. Clean the dirt, dust and debris you see inside using a dry or wet vacuum. Clean the mechanical parts like the ones on burner compartment, blower and the motor. If the vacuum comes with a brush attachment, use it to clean the general debris and the fan blades. If the areas are hard to reach using the brush attachment, use a crevice tool. When you clean inside the compartments, make sure you don’t disconnect any wires. After you’re done with the clean-up, use a damp cloth and wipe everything. If you see loose terminals, tighten with a screw driver.  

Step 3: Clean the Furnace Ducts 

Cleaning the ducts is crucial, that’s why you have to use a high-powered vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter. This filter will prevent the dust from scattering around the place. If you have a forced-air furnace system, then you should clean the ducts regularly. If the furnace has a built-in humidifier, clean the humidifier to keep it in its good condition. If you notice leaking duct work, patch it before the warm air escapes. However if the duct work is damaged, you might need to replace it altogether. The exteriors of registers and vents can be cleaned with a scrub brush.  

Step 4: Clean the Furnace Filters 

The models of furnace will vary, but most of the time there would be access panels that you can open to clean the filter. The disposable filters should be replaced with new ones. If the filters are washable and removable, clean them with water and detergent. To make the cleaning efficient, make sure you buy high-quality filters. This kind of filter requires changing every 3 months.  

Step 5: Test the Furnace 

Once the repairs and clean-up are done, close the access panels and turn on the power. Run the furnace for a few minutes. Listen to the noises it make and the unusual smells it produce. Investigate the furnace if something is not right. If you’re still doubting, call a professional.