Gas Furnace Maintenance

• Take caution - If you are performing any kind of gas furnace maintenance, turn off the gas line. The valve to turn off your gas line should be located near the gas meter.
• Look - Look at the flames in the burner. You should see a steady blue flame. If you see yellow or orange flicking, call a specialist to determine if something other than natural gas is burning.
• Listen - Listen for questionable noises or vibrations while the furnace is on. If you hear any unusual sounds, ask your technician for guidance.
• Smell - Smell for any gas leaks. If you smell gas, do not try to light any appliance. Do not touch any electrical switch. Do not use a phone in your building. Immediately call a gas supplier from your neighbor’s phone. Remember, you may not be able to smell fuel gases. Carbon monoxide detectors are recommended and should be installed according to all local laws and regulations.
• Alert - In the event that electrical, fuel or mechanical failures occur, immediately turn the gas supply off at the manual gas valve on the gas pipe before turning off electrical power to the furnace. Contact a qualified service agency as soon as possible.

Do not use this unit if any part has been under water. A flood damaged unit is extremely dangerous.
Attempts to use the furnace can result in fire or explosion.

Schedule a preventative maintenance checkup with your local dealer every fall before winter weather arrives. Here’s what your dealer will do during your gas furnace service appointment.

• Confirm all flue product carrying areas external to the furnace (chimney, vent connector) are clear and free of obstruction.
• Confirm vent connector is in place, slopes upward and is physically sound without holes or excessive corrosion.
• Check return air duct connection(s). Should be physically sound, sealed to the furnace and ends outside the space containing the furnace.
• Check furnace support structure. Should be without sagging, cracks or gaps around the base.
• Confirm the burner flames are in good adjustment without erratic flames.
• Inspect fresh air inlet and vent and remove any obstructions. The horizontal or vertical vent and inlet must be located at least 12 inches minimum (18 inches in Canada) above the normally expected snow accumulation level.

Taking care of the filter is one of the most important things you can do for your furnace. As the system circulates air, it filters the air in your home and extracts excess moisture to help control humidity.

When your furnace circulates the air in your home, dust and dirt particles build up on the filter. Excessive accumulation can block the airflow, forcing your furnace to work harder to maintain a constant temperature. The harder your unit has to work, the more energy it uses.

The easy answer is to change your filter when it gets dirty. For every home and homeowner, how quickly your filter gets filled up depends on several factors like home size, pets and others. But here’s a few guidelines to follow:

• Home with no pets: every 90 days.
• Home with one pet: every 60 days.
• Home with more than one pet or people with allergies/asthma: every 20-45 days

First, find out where the filter is located in your system and then follow these steps. If you have any questions, contact your local Trane Dealer.

• Turn off your furnace.
• Find out your furnace filter size.
• Remove old filter.
• Insert new filter (make sure you follow the air flow arrows).
• Turn back on furnace.

Here a few common problems and quick fixes to try if your furnace isn’t working properly.

Problem: Gas furnace won’t turn on.
Solution: Check that your thermostat is set to heat (especially if it’s the first time using it).

Problem: Hot upstairs. Cold downstairs.
Solution: Create climate zones to heat the rooms you want.

Problem: Utility bill rising.
Solution: Your system is running too much. Set your thermostat lower or invest in a more energy efficient furnace.

For even more furnace troubleshooting tips, check out our Gas furnace troubleshooting guide and these answers to common heating problems.

• Schedule routine maintenance checks.
• Open blinds or drapes to let sunlight in during the day.
• Change your filters regularly.
• Install a programmable thermostat.

For specific tips and details about how to maintain and service your particular furnace, visit our User Guides page. You’ll find details and helpful information for all our furnace models (XC95m, XC80, XV80, XV80 Oil, XP80 Oil).