As your furnace turns on and prepares to heat your house, it’s expected for it to create some noise. These sounds, including the burners firing up and the blower running, are all part of the typical start-up procedures.
But there are several steps you can do to make your furnace less noisy this winter.
1. Request Annual Furnace Maintenance
Furnace maintenance is extremely important, since it keeps your manufacturer warranty valid. This helps defend you if something big stops working in your furnace during your warranty range.
It can also help us uncover small issues that can make your furnace annoying. And possibly help you prevent a malfunction on the chilliest day of the year. The Indoor Air Quality Association reports that routine maintenance can lower your probability of furnace malfunctions by up to 95%.
If minor furnace issues go undetected, they may result in trouble in the future. By finding these problems sooner, our pros can get your furnace repaired before heating season begins.
And most critical, pro cleaning and lubrication of your furnace’s moving parts can help make it more efficient. A correctly maintained furnace could save up to 30% on your heating expenses, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
2. Routinely Change Your Furnace’s Air Filter
Your air filter helps keep your house’s air fresh and clean. When it becomes too clogged, it can make your furnace turn on and off too often. Called short cycling, this can cause your furnace to eat up additional energy and make it break down faster.
Our suggestions for changing your furnace filter:
- Flat filter: Monthly
- Pleated filter: Every three months
You may have to change your filter more regularly if you have allergies or pets.
3. Contact Air Masters Heating & Cooling When Your Furnace Is Creating Odd Noises
Some furnaces, especially older ones, could be noisier than others. But if you’re hearing extremely loud or odd noises, you should contact a heating and cooling company like Air Masters Heating & Cooling for furnace repair in Port Orchard.
Here are a few noises to be looking for, how to take care of them and when to get in touch with a professional.
Furnace Making Gurgling or Bubbling Noise
This noise happens more frequently with high-efficiency furnaces. That’s since they discharge fumes dissimilarly than older furnaces, and the process can create some moisture. If your furnace is experiencing difficulties removing this water, it might make gurgling or bubbling sounds. You’ll need professional support for this problem, since it might be created by a blocked drain pipe or clogged drain pan.
Furnace Making Banging Noise
It’s not a great thing when your furnace is making a banging sound. It might mean several things.
Haven’t requested maintenance recently and your furnace is making a banging sound when turning on? Its burners might be dirty. Dirty burners can hold up ignition, which causes gas to accumulate within your furnace.
All that increased gas can make a banging or booming racket when your furnace ultimately does ignite. But this is more than just an irritating noise, as the increased gas is igniting within your furnace. This can break your furnace’s heat exchanger and cause a deadly carbon monoxide leak.
If you’ve forgotten regular service for your furnace and you’re noticing this noise, give Air Masters Heating & Cooling a ring at 360-205-7115. Our heating professionals will get your furnace tuned up and ensure it’s working correctly.
Your ductwork can also create banging sounds when your furnace starts, as the metal is expanding and contracting.
We suggest first looking at your furnace’s air filter and getting a new one if it’s dirty. Next, double-check you don’t have too many vents closed in your residence, as it can force air pressure out of balance.
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 sign there’s electrical troubles. This is most frequently seen with a sputtering blower fan motor, which will produce an irritating buzzing noise when your furnace starts. It could also mean there’s an issue with the capacitor or transformer. All three of these troubles need support from a skilled heating and cooling company like Air Masters Heating & Cooling.
Furnace Making Knocking Noise
If your furnace is making knocking sounds, it’s typically a symptom that an internal component is breaking down. This could be anything from a bearing to a belt or the gas valve. It might also be a symptom that your burners need cleaning.
These problems are typically uncovered during regular maintenance done by a certified HVAC tech. So, while we’re at your residence doing repairs, don’t forget to ask us about scheduling your maintenance appointment for next year.
Furnace Making Clicking Noise
A clicking sound may be the result of issues: worn bearings, gas valve troubles or ignition troubles. All these issues need professional assistance.
At Air Masters Heating & Cooling, our professionals are here to help you enjoy peaceful, energy-efficient comfort. If your furnace is louder than it typically is or producing weird sounds, contact us at 360-205-7115 to get an appointment now.