How to Clean & Care for the Blower & Filters Like a Pro (Step-by-Step)

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A Step-by-Step Guide from Mike

If your electric furnace isn’t heating evenly, sounds louder than it used to, or seems to be running longer than normal, I’ll tell you where to look first:

👉 The blower and the filter.

These two parts move all the air in your home. When they’re dirty, everything else in the system has to work harder — including the heat strips, electrical components, and even your thermostat logic.

The good news?
Blower and filter maintenance is one of the most DIY-friendly furnace jobs you can do — if you do it the right way.

This guide walks you through exactly how I clean and care for them in the field.

Goodman 68,240 BTU 20 kW Electric Furnace with 2,000 CFM Airflow - MBVK20DP1X00, HKTAD201

🔒 Safety First: Power Down Before You Touch Anything

Before we get into tools or steps, let’s be clear:

An electric furnace carries high voltage.

Do this every time:

Turn the furnace OFF at the breaker
Confirm the unit is fully powered down
Wait 10–15 minutes for components to cool
Wear gloves and eye protection

If you skip this step, stop now and come back later.

🧰 Tools You’ll Need (Nothing Fancy)

You don’t need pro-grade equipment.

Basic toolkit:

Screwdriver or nut driver
Shop vacuum with brush attachment
Soft paintbrush or coil brush
Clean microfiber cloths
Flashlight or headlamp
Replacement air filter (if disposable)

That’s it.

🧃 Step 1: Locate & Inspect the Air Filter

Why the filter matters more than you think

The air filter:

Protects the blower motor
Keeps heat strips from overheating
Maintains proper airflow (CFM)
Directly affects your electric bill

A clogged filter is the #1 cause of airflow problems in electric furnaces.

🔍 How to find it

Depending on the setup, your filter may be:

Inside the furnace cabinet
In a return grille
In a filter rack attached to the duct

Slide it out gently.

👀 What to look for

Gray or black discoloration
Visible dust buildup
Bent or collapsed pleats
Pet hair or debris matting

Mike’s rule:

If it looks dirty, it is dirty.

🔁 Step 2: Clean or Replace the Filter (The Right Way)

Disposable filters

Replace — don’t clean
Match size exactly
Choose appropriate MERV rating (usually 8–11)

Reusable filters

Rinse with lukewarm water
Mild soap only (no harsh cleaners)
Rinse from clean side to dirty side
Air dry completely before reinstalling

Never reinstall a damp filter. Moisture invites dust clumping and mold.

Helpful reference on filter efficiency:
👉 EPA – Air Filter Basics
https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/air-cleaners-and-air-filters-home

🌬️ Step 3: Access the Blower Compartment

Once the filter is out, it’s time for the blower.

What the blower does

The blower motor:

Pulls air through the filter
Pushes air across heat strips
Distributes air through your ductwork

If it’s dirty or imbalanced, you’ll hear it — and pay for it.

🔧 How to access it

Remove the furnace access panel
Use your flashlight to locate the blower housing
Do NOT disconnect wiring unless necessary

Most Goodman electric furnaces allow visual inspection without full removal.

🌀 Step 4: Clean the Blower Wheel (Carefully)

What usually goes wrong

Dust buildup on the blower wheel:

Throws off balance
Reduces airflow
Causes vibration and noise
Shortens motor life

🧹 Cleaning process

Use a vacuum with brush attachment
Gently brush dust off each blade
Rotate the wheel slowly by hand
Avoid bending fins — even slightly
Wipe surrounding housing clean

❌ What NOT to do

No water spray
No compressed air blasting
No harsh cleaners

If the wheel is heavily caked or greasy, that’s when a pro cleaning makes sense.

🔩 Step 5: Check the Blower Motor & Mounts

While you’re in there, inspect the motor.

Look for:

Loose mounting bolts
Dust buildup on motor casing
Frayed or pinched wires
Signs of overheating (discoloration)

Tighten gently

Snug, not forced. Over-tightening can crack mounts or warp brackets.

🔊 Step 6: Listen for Balance & Bearing Issues

Once cleaning is done and the panel is still off (but power remains OFF):

Spin the blower wheel by hand
It should rotate smoothly
No grinding
No wobble
No scraping sounds

If it doesn’t feel smooth, that’s a bearing issue — not a cleaning issue.

🔄 Step 7: Reinstall the Filter & Restore Airflow

Before powering up:

Confirm airflow arrow points toward the furnace
Ensure filter fits snug (no gaps)
Replace access panels fully
Restore power at breaker

Run the system and listen.

👂 Step 8: Post-Cleaning Sound & Performance Check

After startup, a healthy blower sounds like:

Smooth ramp-up
Steady airflow
No rattles or humming

Warning sounds:

Whining → bearing wear
Thumping → imbalance
Buzzing → electrical issue

If cleaning made the system noticeably quieter, you did it right.

📅 How Often Should You Do This?

Filters

Every 1–3 months (depending on dust & pets)

Blower inspection

Once per year
Twice if you live in dusty or high-pollen areas

ENERGY STAR airflow guidance:
👉 https://www.energystar.gov/ia/new_homes/features/DuctSystems_062906.pdf

⚡ Bonus Tip: Why Clean Airflow Protects Heat Strips

In electric furnaces, restricted airflow:

Causes heat strips to run hotter
Shortens element life
Triggers limit switches
Raises electric consumption

Clean airflow = cooler components = longer lifespan.

Electric furnace efficiency reference:
👉 U.S. Department of Energy – Electric Heating
https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/electric-resistance-heating

📋 Quick Pro Checklist (Save This)

✔ Power off at breaker
✔ Remove & inspect filter
✔ Replace or wash filter
✔ Vacuum blower wheel
✔ Inspect motor & wiring
✔ Check wheel balance
✔ Reinstall panels
✔ Restore power & test