How often should I oil my furnace blower motor?

Furnace Maintenance If the motor has oil ports, it should be lubricated annually. Apply two or three drops of 10-weight nondetergent motor oil (not all-purpose oil) to each port. Do not overlubricate. If the blower shaft has oil ports, it, too, should be lubricated annually, following the same procedure.

How often should furnace blower be cleaned?

A professional should clean the blower assembly on your furnace at least yearly. If the furnace has a squirrel-cage fan, cleaning the blower assembly is all the more important. That's because the openings in this type of furnace tend to become clogged with dust and dirt.

Should you clean your furnace blower?

Three parts of the air-moving system should be kept clean: the filter, the blower, and the blower motor. Dirt is the biggest enemy of your furnace. It can waste fuel and drastically lower efficiency. Dirt affects all three basic components of your furnace, so cleaning is the most important part of regular maintenance.

Why is my blower motor so loud?

The blower motor needs routine lubrication, and often a specific kind of lubrication to upkeep performance and function over time. Otherwise, the fan might seize up and cause a loud noise (and an even louder repair bill). If you are knowledgeable of the process, you can add lubrication to the motor.

Why is my furnace so loud all of a sudden?

The simplest explanation for screeching or whistling is that your furnace air filter could be clogged with dust, hair, and dirt. That eerie screech you hear might just be air desperately trying to get through. Fortunately, you can take care of this noise issue yourself, quickly and inexpensively.

Why does my furnace sound like an airplane taking off?

Furnace Sounds Like a Jet Engine If your furnace sounds like an airplane or jet engine taking off, it's usually a gas issue. Gas could be leaking from a line or valve. Or, if you hear a click before the swooshing sound, you may have a broken heat exchanger that is leaking gas.

Do you need to clean your furnace ducts?

EPA does not recommend that the air ducts be cleaned routinely, but only as needed. EPA does, however, recommend that if you have a fuel burning furnace, stove or fireplace, they be inspected for proper functioning and serviced before each heating season to protect against carbon monoxide poisoning.

Can you clean your own furnace?

Wipe exterior surfaces with a damp rag. Remove the furnace access door by lifting it up and out. Loosen screws, removing the burner cover (if you have one). Vacuum the burners and furnace base using a shop vac or household vacuum with wand/upholstery attachment.

Do natural gas furnaces need to be cleaned?

If you're asking yourself: “Do Gas Furnaces Need To Be Cleaned?” – the answer is yes! If you haven't had yours cleaned in a few years, now is an excellent time to do so. Furnace cleanings can be performed during yearly maintenance on the unit.

How many times a year should you change your furnace filter?

A good rule of thumb is to change 1-2 inch filters every three months, 4 inch filters every six months and 5 inch filters every 12 months. Signs your air filter needs changed: The filter is visibly dirty.

Why is my furnace not blowing hot air?

Troubleshooting Furnaces Not Blowing Hot Air Check batteries of your thermostat and replace the drained or faulty one. Check the fan settings on your thermostat if they are set to “auto” instead of “on”. Make sure someone else has not set your thermostat to a lower temperature.

How much does a furnace blower motor cost?

Furnace Blower Motor Replacement Cost On average nationwide, a furnace blower motor replacement costs $400 to $600, including parts and labor. A single-speed blower motor costs around $450 to replace while a variable-speed motor costs $600 or more.

Why does my furnace sounds like a washing machine?

Thumps and bumping noises, like an unbalanced washing machine, often indicate an unbalanced blower wheel or motor. This is a serious issue that requires immediate HVAC repair. The blower wheel and motor are major furnace parts and you don't want them bouncing around.

Can an oil furnace explode?

An oil-burning furnace with a leaky seal may throw improperly atomized oil into the furnace's combustion chamber, which eventually pools at the bottom of the chamber. The pools partially vaporize. They ignite when the furnace cycles on, causing an explosion.

When should I worry about my furnace noise?

In most cases, it is wise to call a service technician. A pinging or popping sound is most likely coming from one of the ducts and is not really something to worry about. If you hear an odd vibrating noise or whining, it may indicate a problem with your furnace and a technician really needs to check it out.

How long do furnaces usually last?

Can a furnace explode?

The short answer is yes, it is possible for your furnace to explode. But it is highly unlikely especially with the build of modern furnaces, which include high safety standards to decrease the risk of an explosion.

What are normal furnace noises?

Normal Furnace Sounds Chirp – Chirping sounds are fairly common. It's usually the natural noise of the mechanisms. Rattle – Rattling noises usually happen when the system is cooling down and it's not generally cause for alarm. Hum – This is usually a sound that happens when the furnace burner lights.

Why does my gas furnace sound like a jet engine?

Blocked or closed vents can cause increased sound pressure as the furnace blower motor and fan push air through, resulting in a “jet engine” sound.

Can I clean my air ducts myself?

When it comes to the nitty gritty, cleaning air ducts is not a do-it-yourself job. It requires tools, such as a high-powered vacuum and rotary brushes, that you don't have lying around in the garage. In addition, an improper cleaning job could damage the ducts, resulting in expensive repairs.

Can you use a shop vac to clean a furnace?

A regular vacuum or a shop vac and a sink or garden hose are some of the most important tools for cleaning a permanent furnace filter. Beyond that, simple household items like toothbrushes, scrub brushes, toothpicks and cotton swabs are also useful to clean the furnace and its vents.

What maintenance does a furnace need?

Some of the specific tasks involved in our furnace maintenance checklist include: Inspecting the vent system and air intake grilles, removing any blockages. Checking the heat exchanger for signs of damage or corrosion. Examining and cleaning the blower, removing any debris.

How often should an oil furnace be serviced?

You should have your oil furnace serviced at least once a year. If the furnace is used more than average, you'll want to schedule routine service every six months. A furnace may be used more often in freezing climates or areas with long winters.

How long does a furnace cleaning take?

A furnace tune-up can take between an hour and a half to two hours. But it mostly depends on the age of your furnace. If they find you need more substantial repairs, it may take longer.

What happens if you dont change furnace filter?

Without a new air filter, the furnace will overheat every time it starts up again. This is referred to as short cycling. Dirty furnace filters cause your furnace to work harder than it should due to a decrease in airflow. The harder your furnace works, the quicker its parts will wear out and need repairs.

How long do furnace filters last?

Change Your Filters Regularly For example, a one inch furnace filter should be changed out every one to three months. A three to four-inch filter can last for six to nine months. If you have a thick five to six-inch filter, it can last from nine to twelve months.

How much oil do you put in a blower motor?

Lubricate the oil ports by applying a few drops on them. Two or three drops will suffice. Do not apply too much oil, as over lubrication can lead to other complications. Blower shafts on the furnace blower motor could have additional oil ports.

How do you lubricate a blower motor on a gas furnace?

Apply two to three drops of 3-in-1 oil to each port. Push the caps over the oil ports. Spray a thin film of silicone lubricant on the motor shaft where it enters the blower wheel bearings. Reinstall the service panel, then turn on the circuit breaker to power the furnace.

How often should I lubricate the blower shaft?

If the blower shaft has oil ports, it, too, should be lubricated annually, following the same procedure. You'll probably have to remove an access plate to get at the ports.

What kind of oil do you put in a furnace blower?

Buy non-detergent oil that is exclusively made for the furnace blower motor. Do not use an all-purpose oil, as it is not apt for this procedure. Lubricate the oil ports by applying a few drops on them.