Furnace Issue?

Question

I was wondering if someone can tell me about furnaces. I bought this new house, and I'm a new home-owner so I'm new to this, and it's been nice. I keep the house pretty clean but it does get dusty around the area where the furnace is. I bought an expensive filter that claims to trap everything so is that all I have to do? Can I vacuum around that thing? What else can I do to clean it? I'm just scared around it because I don't want to blow the entire place and me along with it. What's like a general maintenance rule regarding furnaces? I have pets too so I want to make sure that the place is pretty clean - dust and dander free - since most of my family is allergic. I want them to be fine when they visit. Is the filter all I need so the air it circulates is clean or is there anywhere else I can change or clean at least. Thanks.

Answer 1

general maintanence calls for changing the filters regularly and it is a good recomendation to have the unit "cleaned and tuned once a year, usually just prior to the heating season. Some utility companies offer a maintenance contract that includes this service.
As for the dust buildup around your furnace, it is possible that you have some return side duct leakage. While it is possible to get someone to pinpoint and quantify the amount you can use duct mastic (a flexible paint like putty available at most hardware/plumbing supply houses) and "smear" it on all the visible seams. Pay particular attention to the "Boot" where the return duct connects back to the furnace as there is often a noticable gap here.
Another common leakage point is at the register themselves. Remove the protective cover and use a tube of caulk to airseal the edge of the duct where it mounts to the framing. quite often this leakage will blow your air into the framing cavity diminishing your supply air and increasing the amount of dust throughout your home. This inadvertant panning can be a serious comfort issues in homes with forced air systems and a major contributor to energy losses.

Answer 2

Hey Puzz, the filter in the grill is only there to make sure that the blower remains fairly clean. it really does not do much to "Clean" the air. I am assuming that the furnace is in a closet.That area is considered To be "outside" of your home. And if you look around in there, vent holes will be in the "closet" which are there to make sure there is enough combustion air to supply your furnace. That is why Dust is found around your furnace.
As to air quality, You would need to install an electric air cleaner at least $1500. Adding thicker filters only restricts your air and causes your energy bill to go up because your system isn't doing the "work" it was designed to do but still using the same amount of energy.

Answer 3

First, be sure and change your filter every 30 days, no matter what the filter claims. the furnace will not blow up if you clean it. You can have a filter installed on you air return, that way the dust is trapped prior to reaching your furnace. You can also make a hepa quality filter cheap by purchasing a 20" box fan and two 20x20 air filters a dirt cheap one for the back and a micro filter for the front and duct tape them on. this can be used throughout the home, and will virtually eliminate dust. Best buy on micro filters is ace hardware store brand, filterete makes a great filter, but it is expensive.

Answer 4

Its a new house, so you don't have to deal with having your ductwork professionally cleaned. Buy a high quality pleated filter - these will run you $5 to $15 each depending on brand/quality. 3M makes "Filtrete" which is one of the best. Look at the filter monthly. It will likely require changing between 1 and 3 months. Don't wait for it to look like a dryer lint filter!

Is you dryer also near the furnace? I'll be the excess dust may be from that. Keep the lint filter clean between loads. Make sure the vent pipe is tight and that there are no leaks at the seals. (New house, but you may have a used dryer?) It should vent outside. I wouldn't want the dust from one of those internal designed types.

No problem vacuuming around the vents and the unit itself.

Answer 5

Make sure you check the limit that is located in the center heat ex changer area, sometimes this is on a separate circuit. Make sure you remove wires before testing to avoid feed back as you should with all limits . check the schematic to make sure you have checked all limits.. If flame shows up and quits shortly, could be a dirty sensor rod, take out and clean. I know that still does not account for open limit, but one reason it will die quickly. If you do change the board, in most cases you can get an generic rather than the Trane Board ,, and save about 100 or 200. Get board number, and check lit with generic board to make sure it will work before buying.

Answer 6

an electronic air cleaner is the best bet for you. shop around, it ll cost you upwards of a grand, but it does the job. as for those more expensive filters, they restrict airflow from your return air. use the cheap glass spun filters and change them every 30 days all yr round if you have central a/c