Good vs, Bad Idea Regarding DIY Gas Furnace Repairs and Maintenance

Proper furnace repairs and maintenance will prolong the life of your unit, and gas furnaces can need a little more attention than electric versions. Here is a look at some of the good and bad ideas of DIY gas furnace repairs and maintenance. 

Good Idea: Cleaning the pilot light so it will stay lit. 

The housing around the pilot light can accumulate dust and debris, and this can affect how well the flame stays lit. It is best to keep this area clean by occasionally using a dampened rag to wipe down the burner plate and the housing. 

Bad Idea: Replacing the full pilot light housing. 

The full pilot light housing is important to its overall function. It is not uncommon for the housing to corrode and have to be replaced through the years. However, this job is not one that most homeowners without experience are equipped to handle, especially since replacing this housing involves disconnecting and reconnecting gas lines. 

Good Idea: Cleaning the interior of the furnace for higher efficiency. 

Keeping the inside of your furnace clean is always going to benefit it in the long term. Some homeowners prefer to entrust this task to a heating service professional, but it is perfectly fine to open the access panel and clear the debris yourself on occasion. 

Bad Idea: Not cutting the power to the pilot light before cleaning the furnace interior. 

Before you do anything to the interior of the furnace, you have to make sure the power is completely shut off. For example, if you have a gas furnace and leave the pilot light burning and use a vacuum to clean the furnace interior, you could inadvertently pull dust into the flame and cause a fire. 

Good Idea: Adding the necessary lubricant to the blower motor. 

The blower motor of the furnace is one of the most important components, and it is made to be easy to maintain. You will usually find small openings where you are supposed to add a few drops of lubrication periodically, and this is one part of DIY maintenance you can handle on your own. 

Bad Idea: Trying to replace the blower on your own. 

Even though it can look like the blower motor of the furnace is fairly straightforward to pull out and replace, there is a lot of wiring connected to this unit. If you do not get the blower connected just right, it can be a fire hazard. 

To learn more about the dos and don'ts of heating repair, contact local HVAC contractors. 


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