How To Access The Inside Of Your Furnace Cabinet
Posted on: 24 October 2017
Regular furnace maintenance is key to a healthy heating and AC system. As a homeowner, you can do quite a few simple things, in regards to your furnace, that can help to maintain the efficiency of your HVAC system. Many of these things need to be done within the actual furnace cabinet. This article looks at the furnace and why it is so important. It also explains the best way to safely access your furnace so you can start to check and maintain certain components within it.
The Furnace Houses Several Vital HVAC Components
The furnace does much more than just heat your house. The furnace also houses the blower which circulates air into your ducts and throughout your home. This is true with both the heating and air conditioning. So, if you are experiencing reduced airflow in your home, the furnace is a good place to start. Most furnace filters are also located inside the main cabinet. You will also find the fan, engine, and pump inside the furnace cabinet. Basically, if you can learn to safely open up and access a furnace, you can check up on and repair a lot of vital components.
Safely Accessing the Inside of Your Furnace
Safely accessing your furnace is obviously a major concern because you're dealing with both electrical and gas components. First, you need to turn your thermostat to the off position. Disable it so nobody can walk by and flip it on. Then, you need to remove the access panel or door to the furnace. Most furnace panels are easily removed without any tools. When you have the door open, you should first look for a gas control knob. This should be a large, clearly marked knob, that shows which way to twist it turned it off. Twist it off, and then look for the power switch.
Not all furnaces have a designated power switch inside the cabinet. On some furnaces, you need to actually hit the breaker switch for the furnace. Just remember to not hit the breaker switch until after the gas is turned off. At this point, it will be safe to work on any of the components inside your furnace. Most jobs are quite simple but don't tinker with anything electrical. If you are unsure, simply call in a heating repair professional. You don't want to damage anything or create a problem that is bigger and more expensive to fix.
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