The Ins and Outs of Annual Furnace Cleaning

Technician cleaning burner area of a natural gas furnace.

One of the most important systems in your home, your furnace or central heating system may run for several thousands of hours every winter. By design, the right unit for your home will withstand this level of wear and tear, if it is properly maintained—this includes annual furnace cleaning!

How Often Should You Have Your Furnace Cleaned?

A residential furnace or central heating system should be cleaned annually. At Aire Serv^®, we clean furnaces as a part of a yearly maintenance appointment called a Total Comfort Tune-Up. Many homeowners choose to schedule this appointment in the fall, before heating season, but the service is appropriate for whatever time of year fits your schedule.

Why Does Your Furnace Need to Be Cleaned Every Year?

While your furnace works hard to heat your home, it’s a magnet for dust, dirt, and debris.

Furnace cleaning is important to the health and function of your furnace and your greater central HVAC system. Air circulating through your furnace is distributed throughout your home—and any dust, dander, or mould spores in your unit is carried along with it.

The benefits of furnace cleaning can’t be understated. With annual furnace cleaning and maintenance, you will:

Save money on energy bills and maintenance: Impacted dust and dirt may negatively impact the efficiency of your HVAC system.
Breathe cleaner air: Furnace cleaning is a crucial step toward improving the indoor air quality of your home. Clean air circulating through your ductwork is less likely to contribute to the spread of allergens or pathogens or the buildup of dust and particulates in your ductwork.
Stay warm: No one wants to wake up on a frosty winter morning to discover their heater or furnace has broken down during the night.

What Does Furnace Cleaning Include?

As a part of the annual furnace maintenance appointment, our team will clean the furnace.

These steps include (but are not limited to):

1. Carefully disassembling the unit casing to uncover vital components.
2. Cleaning dust and dirt from both internal and external components.
3. Inspecting and ensuring the heat exchanger is clean and functional.
4. Inspecting the condensate drain and any drain lines for potential obstruction.
5. Inspecting and cleaning the fan or blower blade.
6. Changing the air filter and (if applicable) the whole-home humidifier filter.

An annual cleaning and maintenance should be performed in addition to quarterly air filter replacement.

Can I Clean My Furnace Myself?

No, you should leave your furnace cleaning up to a professional HVAC technician. From blade fans to air filters and furnace flames, cleaning a furnace properly requires disassembling some of the unit’s casings and components—and the last thing you need is a puzzle to solve! Leave this job to experienced technicians with the tools and experience to clean, diagnose, and identify and fix any problems.

What’s the Difference Between Furnace Cleaning and Duct Cleaning?

While completed with similar goals in mind, furnace cleaning and maintenance and duct cleaning are separate services. With some exceptions, duct cleaning should be completed every three to five years. During a duct cleaning, an HVAC technician will carefully clean the interior of your home’s ductwork.

Importance of Regular Maintenance

Your furnace, especially during the winter months, will function more effectively and efficiently if you schedule regular maintenance throughout the year. In addition to helping your system performance better, regular maintenance can also improve indoor air quality. Ask how a Total Comfort Tune-Up from Aire Serv can optimize HVAC performance, reduce repairs, and help you save on energy cost.