As your furnace switches on and prepares to warm up your house, it’s typical for it to make some noise. These sounds, including the burners lighting and the blower running, are all part of the normal start-up process.
But there are a few steps you can do to make your furnace quieter this winter.
1. Schedule Yearly Furnace Maintenance
Furnace maintenance is very important, as it keeps your manufacturer warranty in place. This helps shield you if something major goes wrong with your furnace during your warranty time.
It can also help our professionals uncover small issues that might make your furnace loud. And potentially help you avoid a malfunction on the coldest day of the year. The Indoor Air Quality Association reports that annual maintenance can decrease your chance of furnace malfunctions by up to 95%.
If minor furnace problems are left unnoticed, they may lead to a breakdown in the future. By unearthing these troubles in advance, our techs can get your furnace fixed before heating season is underway.
And, most critical, pro cleaning and lubrication of your furnace’s moving parts can help make it more efficient. A properly maintained furnace could save up to 30% on your utility expenses, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
2. Regularly Replace Your Furnace’s Air Filter
Your air filter helps keep your residence’s air fresh and clean. When it turns too dirty, it can make your furnace turn on and off too frequently. Called short cycling, this can cause your furnace to consume additional fuel and make it break down more quickly.
Our advice for installing a new furnace filter:
- Flat filter: Every month
- Pleated filter: Every three months
You might have to change your filter more regularly if you have allergies or pets.
3. Contact Willco Air Conditioning, Refrigeration & Heating Inc. When Your Furnace is Making Strange Noises
Some furnaces, particularly older ones, could be louder than others. But if you’re noticing exceedingly loud or odd noises, you might need to contact a heating and cooling company like Willco Air Conditioning, Refrigeration & Heating Inc. for furnace repair in Branchville.
Here are several noises to keep an eye out for, how to solve them and when to get in touch with a specialist.
Furnace Making Gurgling or Bubbling Noise
This noise is more common with high-efficiency furnaces. That’s because they exhaust fumes dissimilarly older furnaces, and the process can make some moisture. If your furnace is having troubles removing this water, it could make gurgling or bubbling sounds. You’ll require pro help for this issue, since it could be created by a blocked drain pipe or clogged drain pan.
Furnace Making Banging Noise
It’s not a good sign when your furnace is making a banging sound. It can mean a few things.
Haven’t scheduled maintenance recently and your furnace is producing a banging sound when starting? Its burners may be dirty. Dirty burners can stall ignition, which results in gas accumulating within your furnace.
All that accumulated gas can cause a banging or booming racket when your furnace ultimately does ignite. But this is more than just an irritating noise, since the built-up gas is igniting in your furnace. This can break your furnace’s heat exchanger and make a deadly carbon monoxide leak.
If you’ve forgotten annual maintenance for your furnace and you’re noticing this noise, give Willco Air Conditioning, Refrigeration & Heating Inc. a call at 862-345-6896. Our heating professionals will get your furnace tuned up and ensure it’s working accurately.
Your ductwork can also create banging sounds when your furnace turns on, because the metal is expanding and contracting.
We advise first looking at your furnace’s air filter and installing a new one if it’s clogged. Next, ensure you don’t have too many vents sealed in your house, as it can throw off air pressure.
If neither of these steps repair the sound, your ductwork could be dirty or undersized, which will require assistance from a professional HVAC tech.
Furnace Making Humming or Buzzing Noise
If your furnace is buzzing or humming, it’s a symptom there’s an electrical issue. This is most often seen with a dying blower fan motor, which will create a loud buzzing noise when your furnace starts. It might also mean there’s trouble with the capacitor or transformer. All three of these problems require help from an experienced heating and cooling company like Willco Air Conditioning, Refrigeration & Heating Inc..
Furnace Making Knocking Noise
If your furnace is making knocking sounds, it’s often a symptom that an internal piece is going out. This might be anything from a bearing to a belt or the gas valve. It might also be a symptom that your burners are dirty.
These troubles are often unearthed during annual maintenance done by a certified HVAC technician. So, while we’re at your home doing repairs, don’t forget to inquire about requesting your maintenance appointment for the upcoming year.
Furnace Making Clicking Noise
A clicking sound can be the result of issues: worn bearings, gas valve troubles or ignition problems. All these troubles need professional support.
At Willco Air Conditioning, Refrigeration & Heating Inc., our professionals are here to help you unwind in tranquil, energy-efficient comfort. If your furnace is louder than it usually is or making weird sounds, contact us at 862-345-6896 to get an appointment now.