How to Maintain Furnace Blowers

Maintaining your furnace blower will help keep your furnace in good working order and will efficiently warm your home or work area. While a furnace is a potentially dangerous mechanism, following a few simple steps will let you maintain the furnace blower safely and effectively.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Turn the furnace off. This is crucial since working around an operating furnace is very dangerous. Flip the furnace on-off switch to the off position. Then ask someone else to turn the thermostat up to a high temperature while you remain near the furnace. If you don't hear the swoosh of the furnace lighting, then the furnace is probably off.

2. Check the blower belt and blower motor. A furnace blower belt is a very simple part to replace that, conversely, can cause serious problems if it is damaged. If the belt and blower look good, place two or three drops of machine oil on the belt to keep it properly lubricated.

3. Clear out any dirt in or around the blower. Dirt is one of the furnace's biggest enemies as it causes inefficiencies, breakdown and even danger. You can slide out the fan unit and clean each blade with a soft cloth or even a toothbrush.

4. Replace or clean the blower filter. If the filter is permanent, clean it with a cloth. If the filter is replaceable, buy a replacement even if the filter appears to be clean. It's worthwhile replacing the blower filter to keep the blown air clean and safe. Use the arrows near the blower as a guide for which way to place the filter.