How to Improve the Efficiency of an Existing Gas Furnace

Everybody wants to save money on their home heating costs. Improving the efficiency of the gas furnace is a great way to cut energy bills. The best way to improve the efficiency of an existing gas furnace is by performing seasonal maintenance. Most furnaces do not need to have blowers and motors lubricated. All furnaces, though, should be cleaned thoroughly before the heating season starts.

Things You'll Need

• 2-foot long piece of flexible drain hose
• Duct tape
• Vacuum cleaner
• Phillips-head screwdriver
• Socket wrench set
• Small cleaning brush
• Drinking straw
• Emery cloth

Instructions

1. Turn off the circuit breaker to the furnace inside the home electrical panel. Lift up the combustion chamber access panel and remove it from the front of the furnace. Turn the gas valve off by turning the valve counterclockwise.

2. Tape a 2-foot long piece of drain hose to the end of the vacuum cleaner hose with duct tape. Vacuum the burners and burner base with the vacuum and hose attachment. Vacuum behind the burners.

3. Lift off the lower blower access door to access the blower squirrel cage. Use a Phillips-head screwdriver to remove the two screws that secure the control panel to the top of the blower compartment. Do not disconnect any wires from the control panel; just allow it to hang from the wiring harnesses.

4. Use a socket wrench to remove the two bolts that secure the blower in place. Gently lower the blower and remove it from the furnace without disconnecting the wires. Use a small cleaning brush and the vacuum to clean the fins on the squirrel cage. Be careful around the counterweights on any of the fins so that you do not knock them off of the squirrel cage.

5. Set the blower assembly back inside the furnace and secure the blower to the furnace with the retaining bolts. Reattach the control panel to the top of the blower compartment using the two retaining screws.

6. Replace the filter with a new filter and reattach the blower compartment access door. Go back inside the combustion chamber and locate the pilot.

7. Use a drinking straw to blow air over the pilot to remove any dust. Pull out the flame sensor next to the pilot and clean the sensor by lightly rubbing the sensor with an emery cloth. Push the flame sensor back into its location.

8. Turn the circuit breaker back on to the furnace and turn the gas valve back on to supply gas to the pilot. Ignite the pilot light and reattach the combustion chamber door.

Tips & Warnings

• Always disconnect power from appliances before attempting any repairs.

References

• Maintaining Furnaces
• Improve Efficiency