As a general rule, the average furnace should be thoroughly cleaned at least once a year. This will not only maintain the efficiency and longevity of your HVAC system, but it’ll also keep your ducts from getting grimy and distributing dust and dirt throughout your home.
However, your HVAC system may need to be cleaned more often than that depending on where you live, how old your furnace is, how many people are in your household, and whether you have pets.
So how do you know when it’s time to clean your furnace? What are the top 3 telltale signs of a dirty furnace? Can you clean your furnace yourself, or do you need to call a heating service in Cherry Hill, NJ? Read on to find out.
How do I know if my furnace needs cleaning?
Failing to give your furnace the cleaning it needs can result in all sorts of issues, some of which can damage your indoor air quality and endanger the health of your loved ones. You can identify most of these problems before they turn serious by giving your furnace and air filters a monthly check-up.
3 common signs of a grimy furnace:
Dust and debris
Over time, everything gets dingy if it doesn’t get cleaned often enough. If your furnace is full of hair, dust, grime, and dead skin particles, it would probably use a cleaning.
Take a look at the air filters in your HVAC vents. If they’re caked with dirt and dust, clean or replace them and then recheck them a couple days later. If the new or cleaned air filters have already gotten dirty, that’s a sure sign that your furnace could use a good scrubbing.
High energy bills
Did you receive an energy bill that’s unusually high, despite not using your furnace any more than normal? Dirt buildup inside the furnace can cause it to overwork. This will make the furnace consume more energy while also being less effective at heating your home.
Yellow furnace flames
The flames in a gas furnace should be blue. If you’re seeing orange or yellow flames, that’s a sign of a dirty burner or a dirty flame sensor. Either way, the furnace should be cleaned ASAP. Failing to do so can lead to a carbon monoxide leak.
How long does it take to clean a furnace?
Most furnaces only need to be cleaned on a yearly basis. This annual cleaning is best performed during the early fall. In addition to ensuring your furnace is ready for winter, this will also keep you and your family cozy during the cold autumn days.
A professional furnace cleaning usually takes up to 2 hours. However, it may take longer if the furnace is especially large or dirty.
A furnace cleaning and tune-up includes:
- Examining and replacing air filters
- Examining and cleaning flue pipes
- Examining and cleaning the heat exchanger
- Making sure all safety controls are operating properly
- Making sure natural gas pressure is correctly set
- Producing a written assessment of the furnace’s status
Where can I book the premier heating service in Cherry Hill, NJ?
An improperly or infrequently cleaned furnace can result in sky-high energy bills, insufficient heating, expensive HVAC repairs, and even severe health hazards. For this reason, you should always have your furnaces cleaned by reputable HVAC contractors.
With over 400 5-star reviews and more than 8000 finished projects, Allied Experts is the go-to provider of HVAC installation, repair, and maintenance services in Camden County and beyond. Call us today if you’d like to book an appointment or ask further questions.
