Safety Issues to Consider When Cleaning a Furnace

If you want to prolong the life of your furnace and ensure that the air in your home is clean, you need to take the right maintenance measures such as cleaning it regularly. However, when cleaning your furnace, you also need to bear in mind the fact that you need to protect your safety and take necessary precautionary measures. This article highlights some of the key safety measures you need to take when cleaning a furnace. The measures include;

Turn Off Electrical Power

Before you open your furnace door to start cleaning; the first safety measure you need to take is switch off power. Admittedly, you will not alter your furnace’s electrical wiring during the cleaning process. However, it is still vital to ensure that the electrical power is off while you are cleaning since you may need to move some of the wiring in order to reach some parts of the furnace such as the filter. By turning off electrical power, you can avoid any electrical accidents that may compromise your safety.

Avoid Water Spills/ Drips

While cleaning any part of your furnace using water, it is vital to make sure that you do not drip or spill your cleaning water all over the place. If possible, use a wet cleaning rag to wipe down parts of the furnace instead of pouring cleaning water directing onto furnace parts .Additionally, if your furnace filter is too dusty and you decide to rinse it in water, ensure that it is dry before re-installation. The main risk of spilling water on furnace parts is that once you switch on power after cleaning, the water may mix with electricity and cause serious accidents such as electrical fires.

Wear A Dust Mask

Besides improving its effectiveness and prolonging its life, cleaning your furnace gets rid of dirt that may make the air in your home dusty. While vacuuming or washing a dirty/dusty furnace, it is important to wear protective gear such as dust masks. Such masks will ensure that you do not inhale dust that may cause respiratory ailments.

Reinstall Furnace Parts Properly

Once you finish cleaning your furnace, make sure that you reinstall all furnace parts in the right manner. Poorly installed furnace parts can cause malfunctions and this can affect how your furnace works and affect the durability of the furnace.

Conclusion

All in all, it is important to remember that regular cleaning is vital to the durability and improved performance of your furnace. However, you need to use the right cleaning techniques, procedure and safety equipment in order to avoid damaging your furnace and ensure that you are safe.