Having a clean furnace is essential to make sure your home is being heated efficiently. However, if you want to save some money, you can clean your furnace vents yourself. But first, you need to know how to do so! Below we have given the step-by-step instructions on how to clean your furnace vents yourself.
Follow these steps to clean your furnace vents and air ducts:
- If you have a gas furnace, turn off the switch and if you have an oil furnace, make sure to turn off the burner. For an electric furnace, you should turn off the power to the furnace.
- Prepare cleaning equipment, including a vacuum cleaner, tape, a brush, and some cleaning solution.
- Unscrew the air vent covers and grills.
- Vacuum the vents to remove any dirt or dust that is inside them.
- Spray the solution on it and brush it off.
- If there is any dirt remaining, you can vacuum again to remove the dirt out.
- Do not forget to reinstall all covers and grills after cleaning is done!
As you can see, cleaning your furnace vents isn't too tricky, but it is time-consuming. However, cleaning the vents will ensure that air is moving smoothly throughout the system. In this article, we will take a closer look at how to clean your air vents and the benefits of doing so. In addition, we will discuss what happens if your furnace vents are blocked, so read on!
How To Clean Furnace Vents
Furnace vents are responsible for the circulation of air in a home. They help to move the heated or cooled air from the furnace or air conditioner throughout the house. Furnace vents also help to remove moisture and pollutants from the air. The air vents suck in fresh air to replace the old air moved throughout the house.
However, over time these vents can become dirty and clogged with dust or animal hair. When this happens, they will not be able to function correctly. This means your furnace will have to work harder than it should, which could cause it to break down. In addition, the air that is moved throughout your home will not be clean and pollutant-free.
When a homeowner notices their vents are dirty, the first thing a homeowner should do is schedule a professional cleaning. This can be done by contacting a certified cleaner who uses special equipment to clean the vents from the inside out. However, if you want to save some money, you can clean your vents yourself!
Follow these steps to clean your furnace vents and air ducts:
Turn off the Furnace Unit
The first thing you need to do is turn off the furnace unit. Make sure the heating system is completely cool before you start cleaning.
You will find a switch or breaker to turn it off at the furnace. For those with an electric heating unit, pull out its plug from the wall socket, and all should be fine!
Unscrew the Air Vent Covers and Grills
Unscrew your furnace vents and check if they are clean or dirty. You can use a vacuum cleaner to remove any dust that may be present. If you find some debris, clean them out from the vents with a brush. If there is some soil, spray some cleaning solution on it and scrub it off. Then dry with a cloth.
Reinstall All Covers and Grills
After cleaning is done, reattach the grills and vents to your furnace. This is an essential step because if they are not correctly attached, you will have the same problem again!
The Benefits of Cleaning Furnace Vents
By following the steps above, you will be able to clean your furnace vents yourself. Not only will doing so save some money, but it will also ensure that the air circulating through your home is clean.
When vents become clogged or blocked, it will be more difficult for air to pass through them. This means the furnace must work harder to move air throughout the house, which could cause it to break down. In addition, the polluted air you are breathing in every day will not be cleaned either!
Therefore, it is best to clean your vents regularly. Here is a video that demonstrates the process:
What is the Vent on my Furnace for?
The vent on your furnace is for ventilation. Air must flow through the vents freely for your heating system to work correctly. However, if these vents are blocked, you will have problems with your furnace not working at all.
This is why you must clean your vents regularly so that they can continue to work correctly.
How often should I clean my furnace vents? As a general rule, you should make your furnace vents a part of your regular home maintenance. This way they will stay in good condition, and you won't have any problems with the heating system. However, some signs can indicate that it is time for you to clean your furnace vents:
- When you see dirt, it prevents air from flowing freely.
- You hear strange sounds coming out of the vents.
- Third, your home is not as warm as usual, or your electric bill is higher than average.
- Finally, people, people in the home are getting sick more than usual.
These are all signs that your furnace needs to be cleaned. If you ignore these signs, you could end up with a broken furnace.
What Happens When Furnace Vents are Blocked?
Blocking your furnace vents can cause a lot of problems. First, without enough air circulating through the heating system, it can break down more efficiently and cost you some money to repair or replace. In addition, the air that comes out of the vents may not be clean and pollutant-free because there is not enough ventilation going on.
When the air going into your home is not clean, it can cause a lot of problems. For example, having blocked furnace vents can run the risk of carbon monoxide building up in the home.
The signs and symptoms you should look for if your furnace vents are blocked include:
- More allergies than usual or trouble breathing.
- Illness that lingers longer than usual.
- Nasal congestion or sinus infection.
- Headaches, nausea, and fatigue.
- Coughing, wheezing, and fever.
If you observe any of these symptoms in the home, there may be something wrong with the air quality inside your home. The way to know for sure is to clean your furnace vents and see if the symptoms disappear.
How Much Does it Cost to Get your Furnace Ducts Cleaned?
The average cost to clean your furnace ducts can vary depending on the size of your home. However, you can expect to pay around $375 for a furnace duct cleaning. It never hurts to shop around prices to get your best quote. In addition, be sure to check reviews to hire a reputable professional.
How Often Should Furnace Ducts be Cleaned?
It would help if you had your furnace ducts cleaned every 3-5 years. This will ensure that the air in your home stays clean and healthy to breathe, which can help prevent many respiratory issues or sicknesses.
It will only take around 45 minutes to an hour for you to get your furnace vents cleaned. However, if your furnace vents are filthy, it could take three to five hours to do the job correctly.
How Often Should You Replace Your Furnace?
It is recommended that you replace your furnace after 15-20 years of use. Your system will become worn out if it lasts this long, which could cause breakdowns, higher electricity bills, and more. However, some poorly maintained furnaces can break down more quickly.
If you are experiencing any of the following signs, it may be time for you to replace your furnace:
- Your furnace is more than 15-20 years old.
- You are experiencing frequent breakdowns.
- Your energy bills are significantly higher than normal.
- The air quality in your home is poor.
- People in the home are having trouble breathing.
- You are getting sick more often than usual.
- You are having problems with your heating system.
Things to Consider When Getting A Furnace?
There are some things you need to consider when you get a new furnace for your home. For example, it would help if you check the type of fuel used in the heating system.
This way, you can choose one that matches the energy and fuel type that matches your home. It also helps if you get a furnace with an Energy Star label because it is more efficient on energy use than others without this label.
It is also essential for you to consider where you will install the new furnace in your home. You may want to hire a professional to help you install it if you are not familiar with the requirements when installing one, or you can do it yourself if you are comfortable doing so.
Finally, have the heating system regularly inspected for oil leaks or faulty parts to make repairs before they become even more significant problems. In addition, be sure to get your furnace maintained and cleaned once in a while so that it can run smoothly without any trouble.
Final Thoughts
Overall, it doesn't hurt to clean your furnace vents and air ducts yourself frequently to ensure you have quality air going through your home. In addition to cleaning them yourself, manufacturers suggest to have a professional cleaning done every three to five years. This will help your furnace have a long life and fewer problems in the future!
If you liked this article, then you should also read:
The Best Indoor Humidity Level For Winter