Discerning home and business owners have winter preparation to-do lists to fulfill before chilly weather strikes and settles. One task involves preparing the heating system to do its job. If you own a furnace, you might wonder how to clean furnace burners, which could offer your home optimal comfort and energy efficiency.
Our crew at Cooper’s Plumbing & Air knows that consistent maintenance also helps you dodge impromptu furnace repair in Tallahassee, FL. Follow the burner-cleaning recommendations in our simple, step-by-step guide below.
What Are Furnace Burners?
First, let’s learn a little about what burners do. These furnace components blend air and fuel to generate heat. From there, the blower motor pushes the heat into the ductwork to warm your home or business.
Many burners look like small metal tubes facing equally sized holes. When the burners operate, they ignite and direct blue flames into those holes. The flame they produce pushes the heat into circulation.
Where Can You Find Burners in the Furnace?
Before learning how to clean furnace burners, you need to know where to find them. Generally, the unit’s burners are inside the combustion chamber, which you’ll find by:
- Locating the indoor air handler
- Removing the access panel opening
- Finding the heat exchanger (four or five curvy tubes connected to metal paneling)
The combustion chamber is usually right under the heat exchanger. If you have even a vague idea of what burners look like (metal tubes that fit into the holes opposite them), you should find them.
How to Clean Furnace Burners
Many property owners don’t think much about their furnace components or performance until something goes awry. However, checking the furnace burners is an essential part of a normal heating maintenance to-do list.
If the burners become too grimy or coated with filth, they won’t generate as much heat to warm your home or business. The simple act of cleaning off these components will not only enhance your furnace’s performance but also prolong the system’s lifespan as a whole.
Learn more about how to clean furnace burners with the guide provided below.
Gather Supplies
You can’t clean the burners without:
- Wire cleaning brushes to scrub tough grime away
- Mild liquid dish soap mixed with warm water to loosen the gunk
- Compressed air to clean tiny, difficult-to-access areas
- Drills or wrenches to remove and replace the burners
- Soft, absorbent microfiber cloth to dry any remaining water
Once you have the supplies, you can move on to protecting your safety.
Take Safety Precautions
Before you touch anything, practice proper electrical and gas line safety. Electricity and fuel can be dangerous to handle in unmonitored environments. Don’t remove any components until you:
- Open doors and windows near you for fresh air ventilation.
- Put on protective rubber gloves to prevent combustible substances from getting on your hands (and avoid electrocution).
- Turn off the furnace’s fuel or electrical supply to maintain a predictable, safe environment.
Without precautions, you could face significant injuries or cause furnace damage.
Remove and Clean the Burners
The next step in learning how to clean furnace burners is burner removal. With your preferred tool, take off the furnace access panel. Find the heat exchanger and look directly below it for the burners.
Use your tool again to gently disassemble the burners. You might notice carbon buildup, which will soil your gloves with black streaks. That’s a surefire sign that the burners need a good scrubbing.
Place the burners in the mixture of warm water and dish soap. Scrub them clean with the wire scrubber. You should be able to loosen and lift most debris this way.
Aim the compressed air at small divots and other crannies. Blast any remaining filth out of these areas. Repeat the process as needed.
Rinse and Pat the Burners Dry
Are your burners sparkling? Rinse the burners with clean, warm water, getting rid of any remaining soap. Then, gently wipe the components dry with a soft cloth.
You want to soak up all the water you can and let the burners dry for half an hour or more before you reassemble the furnace. Your burners should be completely dry so that no dampness disrupts furnace performance.
Reattach the Burners
Once the burners have dried completely, you can begin reassembling things. Insert them into their respective burner ports, securing each one with your wrench or drill. Make sure they feel snugly attached to their ports.
Reattach the access panel, then return the fuel or electrical supply to the system. Wait a few moments before starting up.
Test Your Furnace
To test your handiwork, turn the furnace on and let it cycle. Keep an eye and ear out for strange noises or visual cues that might alert you to a problem.
While you wait, inspect the pilot light’s color. A steady blue flame means safe ignition. Flickering flames in bright yellow or orange mean a potential problem.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you still have questions about burners? We have answers! Read through these common queries for additional information on how to clean furnace burners.
Can I Clean My Burners By Myself?
Yes, you can clean your burners by yourself. However, at-home maintenance routines should never replace professional tune-ups.
How Often Should My Furnace Burners Be Cleaned?
You should schedule furnace maintenance annually, and this includes cleaning furnace burners. Set time aside for this in early spring when you stop using your furnace. It’s also helpful to clean the burners in early autumn as you prepare to turn your furnace back on.
How Can I Tell When the Burners Are Dirty?
You can tell when the burners are dirty by looking at the pilot light. An orange or yellow flame indicates filth in the furnace burner and ignition area.
Schedule Professional Furnace Maintenance With Cooper’s Plumbing & Air
Now that you know how to clean furnace burners, you might want to consider avoiding DIY furnace maintenance altogether. HVAC technicians handle this and other more complex maintenance tasks all the time. If you leave it to us, you don’t have to risk your furnace warranty or your safety!
Call 866-464-7132 to reach Cooper’s Plumbing & Air in Tallahassee, Florida!