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Cleaning gas furnace burners is an important maintenance task to ensure the efficient operation of your furnace. Here are the steps to clean gas furnace burners:
1. Turn off the gas supply and electricity to the furnace.
2. Remove the burner assembly from the furnace.
3. Use a soft brush or vacuum cleaner to remove any debris, dust, or dirt from the burners.
4. Inspect the burners for any signs of rust or corrosion. If found, clean them with a wire brush.
5. Clean the flame sensor with a soft cloth or fine sandpaper to remove any build-up.
6. Reassemble the burner assembly and turn on the gas and electricity.
7. Test the furnace to ensure it is working properly.
Regular cleaning of gas furnace burners can prevent problems and extend the lifespan of your furnace.
Keeping your gas furnace burners clean is an important part of maintaining its efficiency. While professionals typically handle this task during a furnace tune-up, you may not want to wait for them if your burners are dirty and affecting the performance of your furnace. Cleaning the burners yourself is possible, but it may require some disassembly, which can be more or less extensive depending on the model. Newer models may allow you to remove each burner individually without tools, while older models may require you to disconnect the gas assembly and remove all the burners as a unit. The older the furnace, the higher the chances of needing a major disassembly.
If removing the burners seems too challenging, it’s best to wait for a technician. However, even if you don’t feel comfortable removing the burners, you can still clean them in place, which is better than doing nothing. To assess the feasibility of removing the burners, consult your furnace’s owner’s manual, which you can find on the manufacturer’s website if you’ve lost the paper copy. Alternatively, you can inspect the furnace to determine the level of cleaning required for the burners.
Conducting the Blue Flame Test
Once you remove the furnace cover, perform a simple test by adjusting the thermostat to activate heating and observing the flames. Ensure that the size of the flames in all the burners is consistent. If one of the flames is noticeably smaller than the others, there is excessive buildup on that burner, indicating a need for deep cleaning. If all the flames are the same size, examine their coloration, as it can indicate the level of cleaning and maintenance required for the burners and other furnace components.
The flames should burn with a steady blue color. If you notice frequent streaks of orange, yellow, or green, or if the flame is not steady, this suggests incomplete combustion, which could be due to buildup on the burners or other issues in the combustion chamber, such as a blockage in the flue or a crack in the heat exchanger. Repeat this test after cleaning the burners, and if the flames still exhibit abnormal colors, it’s time to contact an HVAC specialist for a professional inspection.
Necessary Tools and Equipment
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Fine steel wool
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Phillips screwdriver
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Socket wrench
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Brass wire brush
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Air compressor or can of compressed air
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Steps to Deep Clean Furnace Burners
Unless you have an older furnace, removing the furnace burners should be relatively easy. While the process may vary slightly depending on the model, the general steps for removal and cleaning are as follows:
Step 1: Power Off the Furnace
Start by turning off the electrical power using the wall switch or by switching off the furnace breaker in the main panel. Next, locate the main gas supply valve for the furnace and turn it off.
Second Step: Capture an Image
Utilize your mobile device to photograph the assembly of the burner. This will serve as a useful reference when reassembling the burners to ensure they are properly put back in place.
Third Step: Remove the Retaining Plate for the Burner
Using a Phillips screwdriver or a socket wrench, unscrew the screws that secure the retaining plate to the combustion chamber. Typically, there are two screws, although you may come across three or four, and one of them might be holding a different component, such as a wire clamp. Safely store the screws to avoid misplacing them.
Fourth Step: Take out the Burners
The burners have a cylindrical shape and resemble exhaust pipes in automobiles. Starting from the side nearest to the gas valve, individually grip each burner, gently push it forward to disengage the latch connecting it to the combustion chamber, and then lift it out. Exercise caution, especially when removing the first burner. If the furnace has a hot surface ignitor, it is located right behind the first burner and is extremely delicate. If it gets damaged, which is common, it will need to be replaced.
While removing each burner, check for markings that indicate the top and bottom. If you are unable to determine which side is up, place the burner down in the same orientation as it was in the furnace to ensure it is reinstalled correctly.
Fifth Step: Clean Each Burner
Using a small brass wire brush, eliminate any buildup from the end of each burner that faces the combustion chamber. Blow compressed air through the opposite end to dislodge any carbon deposits inside the burner, and then brush again until all the deposits are removed. Make sure to blow away any debris from the fins on each side of the burner. These fins serve as passages for the flames to ignite each burner. If you do not have an air compressor, you can use a can of compressed air for this task.
Sixth Step: Clean the Flame Sensor
The flame sensor is a small rod with a porcelain base that is mounted just behind the last burner. The rod often becomes coated with carbon, which hinders its ability to detect a flame. Now is a good time to clean it. Disconnect the wire and unscrew the screw holding it to the burner housing. Rub the sensor rod with fine steel wool until it becomes shiny, and then reinstall the sensor and reconnect the wire.
Seventh Step: Replace the Burners
Starting with the burner farthest from the gas valve, replace each burner one by one. Fit one end over the orifice on the gas supply and gently lower the other end until the tabs engage and the burner becomes horizontal. Avoid applying excessive force when placing the burner to prevent bending or breaking any components, particularly the igniter.
Eighth Step: Replace the Retainer
Reposition the retainer over the burners and secure it in place by driving in the screws.
Ninth Step: Test the Furnace
Repeat the blue flame test by turning on the gas and electric power, adjusting the thermostat, and observing the flame color when the furnace turns on. If you still notice consistent yellow or orange streaks, contact an HVAC technician for an inspection. Incomplete combustion could indicate the release of gases, such as carbon monoxide, while the furnace is in operation.
Additional Maintenance and Cleaning for Furnaces
If it is difficult to remove the burners from the furnace, an alternative method is to clean them while they are still in place. This can be done by using compressed air to blow through each burner and using a brush or rag to clean the outside surfaces. If you have a long-handled soft brush, such as a bottle brush, you may be able to insert it into each burner to remove deposits from the sides.
After cleaning the burners, it is recommended to also clean the blower fins and blower motor, replace the air filter, and wipe down the heat exchanger. If your heating system includes an air conditioning unit or a heat pump, make sure to clean the evaporator coils located just above the heat exchanger. This can be done using compressed air, or by brushing or wiping them. It is important to perform all of these maintenance tasks at least once a year in order to keep your furnace in optimal condition and operating efficiently.
