Homeowners and renters throughout Idaho usually turn their furnaces on at the beginning of fall and use them consistently until late spring or even early summertime. You need a safe furnace that won’t burn through your bank account with costly repairs due to clogged furnace burners.
At Express Plumbing, Heating & Air, we offer furnace repair services that include cleaning and maintaining your furnace burners so you can confidently keep the heat on throughout the winter months.
What Are Furnace Burners and How Do They Work?
Furnace burners are mechanisms inside your furnace that produce heat. Every type of furnace (gas, oil, or propane) has at least one burner, but some larger furnaces have two.
When the furnace kicks on, the fuel valve opens, allowing fuel to enter as an air intake valve brings in air from outside. The air and the fuel combine, ignited by the pilot light. A fan blows hot air over the heat exchanger in the furnace and then distributed via ductwork through your home.
Why Do Furnace Burners Get Clogged?
Furnace burners can get clogged from a buildup of debris, soot, and dust. This buildup occurs over time, even in the cleanest homes. Clogged furnace burners are one reason our team offers routine HVAC maintenance services through our Express VIP Club.
Signs and Symptoms of Clogged Furnace Burners
Here are some of the biggest signs your furnace burners need cleaning.
High gas bills
Increased gas bills could mean your furnace is working harder than it should be to keep your house warm.
Strange sounds
If your furnace makes noises like popping, rattling, or banging, it could be because the dirty furnace burners are causing mini explosions inside the furnace during ignition. This could damage the heat exchanger and cause bigger issues, so it’s important not to ignore any new sounds from the furnace.
A yellow or orange pilot light flame
Your furnace’s pilot light should be blue. If it’s yellow or orange, it could indicate that the gas isn’t burning properly.
Inconsistent heating
If your home isn’t heating consistently, or you’re finding cold spots with reduced airflow from the furnace, it could be an indication that your burners have shut off due to being clogged or dirty. Even a partial clog can impede your furnace’s ability to heat your home properly.
Strange smells
If you smell oil, smoke, or rubber, it could be due to a buildup of grime burning inside the furnace. A professional should look into this issue.
If your furnace is not working, contact the team at Express Plumbing, Heating & Air. Our HVAC technicians will troubleshoot the issue and find the cause. Whether it’s a dirty furnace burner or other pilot light issues, we can help.
The Dangers of Clogged Burners
Clogged burners can cause more serious problems than bad smells. It may also cause the following issues:
- Carbon monoxide risk: Clogged burners put you in danger of carbon monoxide poisoning because gas can back up into the home. If you suspect an issue with your furnace’s gas supply or your carbon monoxide detectors go off, leave the home immediately and call an expert for guidance.
- Fire hazards: Sooty buildup around your furnace’s burners can easily catch fire, making it all the more important to have your furnace maintained regularly.
- Furnace damage: Dirty burners can cause problems like explosions inside the combustion chamber. Soot buildup may also damage the heat exchanger and other parts of the furnace.
- Increased energy bills: When your furnace isn’t working at full capacity, it has to work harder, which increases your energy bills.
Preventing Clogged Furnace Burners
Regular maintenance helps prevent dirty furnace burners from damaging your furnace and causing safety hazards. At Express, our helpful maintenance plans include:
- A full inspection of all parts
- Testing the thermostat
- Cleaning the burners, blower wheel, and ignitors
- Inspecting electrical elements and connections
- Testing for gas leaks
- Testing the carbon monoxide detectors
Annual maintenance helps you avoid major issues and ensures your heater stays in good working order when you need it most.
Cleaning Furnace Burners
Unless you know the ins and outs of your furnace, including where the reset button is, what the burners look like, and safe ways to clean them, it’s best to leave furnace burner cleaning to an HVAC professional. There are wires and moving parts that are easily damaged.
Calling a professional if you see excessive soot or an irregular pilot light flame is especially important. These issues often signify a larger issue at play that is challenging for most homeowners to accurately diagnose. This is where our heating maintenance services come in handy. Regular furnace maintenance keeps you and your loved ones safe and comfortable during the winter freeze, improves energy efficiency, and prevents future breakdowns and expensive repairs.
The Costly Impact of Ignoring Clogged Burners
Ignoring a clogged burner in your furnace could cause damage that requires expensive repairs or even a full furnace replacement. Keeping your furnace clean, maintained, and in good working order is much more cost-effective in the long run.
When To Call a Professional
If your furnace is making strange sounds, producing odd smells, isn’t heating your home, or you notice any of the above-listed signs of a dirty burner, it’s time to call a professional.
Your furnace is an important part of your home, and a breakdown can be stressful. The Express technicians will clean your furnace and keep it in good working order for you. If you need assistance with payment, we offer several financing options for qualifying customers.
Call Express for Furnace Cleaning and Maintenance
We’re committed to providing Idaho residents with high-quality service every time. Contact us today if you suspect your furnace burners need cleaning or if you need any other type of furnace service, maintenance, or installation.
