Dirt and dust accumulation in a furnace can impact its safety and ability to produce a steady supply of warm air. Depending on how dirty the components are, you may need furnace repair, a system tuneup, or, in extreme cases, an entirely new unit. To better understand your furnace and its cleaning needs, here’s a closer look at three parts that are susceptible to dirt buildup and how this affects performance.

3 Commonly Dirty Furnace Parts

1. Air Filter

It's the air filter's job to catch the dirt, dust, dander, and other particles that circulate through the furnace. When the air filter is dirty, it can clog up and prevent the free flow of air.

This will result in added wear and tear on the furnace, forcing it to work harder to generate airflow—and leading to higher heating costs as well. Switching out the air filter is a routine part of a furnace tuneup, and many homeowners can replace it themselves.

2. Pilot Light

When a pilot light is clogged by dirt, it can’t do its part to supply the furnace with the fuel it needs to heat the home. Buildup can occur with both traditional pilot light ignitions and automatic ones.

A similar issue is a dirty thermocouple. This is a sensor that detects the pilot light, and if the light goes out or the automatic ignition fails, the sensor shuts off the gas supply. When the thermocouple is dirty, it can’t properly read the state of the pilot light, which can be a safety hazard in addition to resulting in a loss of heat. 

3. Burners

The furnace’s burners ensure the flames maintain the right height to heat the unit sufficiently and evenly. When a burner becomes dirty, the flame may not be able to achieve the necessary height, or it might burn differently than the flames of the unit's other burners. This will result in heat reduction and greater energy consumption until furnace repairs are made.

A professional tuneup will clean out your furnace and guarantee its safe, effective, and dependable use. The team at Ogeechee Heating & Air has more than 40 years' experience providing Claxton and all of southeast Georgia with furnace repair and maintenance, all backed by a 100% money-back guarantee on their work. Call (912) 764-8173 or visit their website to schedule an appointment with this trusted HVAC company.