• October, 20 2025

Dirty burners make a furnace backfire

When burners accumulate too much dust and dirt the furnace struggles. Ultimately the gas buildup sets off backfiring noises, indicating that combustion is incomplete.

Soot is inevitable; it’s in the DNA of a natural gas furnace. But that soot and debris must be removed periodically – especially during winter. Other parts also need cleaning: the heat exchanger and the blower assembly. 

Treat yourself to some peace of mind and have a qualified tech examine your furnace and clean these components as part of a maintenance check. When parts get dirty the furnace functions less efficiently, resulting in higher utility bills.

Bad omens

Those higher utility bills are just one sign of dirty burners, which cut into efficiency. Let them get dirty enough and they will even stop the system totally. 

Other signs of trouble include strange smells; popping, booming or rattling noises; and changing colors in the flame, which should be blue. 

Furnace problem? Elite HVAC’s expert technicians serve Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan and Long Island, N.Y.