4 Ways Dirt and Dust Can Hurt Your Furnace
Today’s furnaces are sophisticated pieces of equipment with amazing technology. They’re more powerful and more energy-efficient than ever before. Plus, with smart thermostats, you can even control the temperature of your home from anywhere in the world.
Yet for as advanced as modern furnaces are, they still are prone to simple dust and dirt. These tiny specks can cause multiple problems with your furnace – from hurting its performance to shortening its service life.
Here are four ways that dirt and dust can harm your furnace
1. Clogging the air filter
To circulate air around the home, the air return system pulls airs from different rooms and transports it to the furnace. Before it enters the unit to be heated, the air goes through a filter that catches dust, dirt, pet hair, and other debris.
However, over time the filter can become covered in these particles, which reduces the airflow. A clogged air filter will force the furnace to work harder to blow the air, which can cause temperature issues in the home and increase wear-and-tear on your unit. The good news is there’s an easy solution – replace your air filter as recommended on the package.
2. Disrupting airflow in ducts
Metal ductwork is good at transporting warm air around your home. Unfortunately, it’s also good at trapping dirt and dust inside. If the layers of grime start building up, they can alter the air flow through the ductworks. Having your ducts professionally cleaned will give your entire HVAC system a boost and improve the air quality in your home.
3. Damaging the motor
One reason the air filter is so important for the furnace is that other components are very sensitive and operate best when clean. So if dirt or dust makes it inside the unit, it can cause major issues, especially to the motor. Small dust or dirt particles can get stuck on the bearings and pistons, preventing them from moving as smoothly. Eventually, this can cause the parts to break down and result in an expensive repair.
4. Preventing the burner from igniting
If a layer of dust or dirt accumulates on the burner, it will have a harder time lighting due to the lack of oxygen. And if the burner can’t work, your furnace won’t be able to produce warm air.
Furnace cleaning and inspection
If your heating system isn’t working as well as it should, schedule a cleaning and inspection with Robert B. Payne. Inc. Our experienced HVAC professionals will make sure dirt and dust are not hurting your furnace. Contact us or call (540) 373-5876 today.