As your furnace switches on and prepares to add warmth to your residence, it’s typical for it to make some noise. These sounds, including the burners lighting and the blower operating, are all part of the usual start-up procedures.
But there are a few approaches you can do to make your furnace run more quietly this winter.
1. Book Regular Furnace Maintenance
Furnace maintenance is very important, as it keeps your manufacturer warranty valid. This helps protect you if something major stops working in your furnace during your warranty time.
It can also help our professionals uncover minor issues that could make your furnace loud. And maybe help you sidestep a malfunction on the coldest day of the year. The Indoor Air Quality Association reports that routine maintenance can decrease your probability of furnace repairs by up to 95%.
If little furnace issues go ignored, they may result in trouble down the road. By finding these troubles sooner, our techs can get your furnace repaired before heating season is in full swing.
And most critical, professional cleaning and lubrication of your furnace’s moving components can help make it more efficient. A correctly maintained furnace could save up to 30% on your gas costs, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
2. Regularly Change Your Furnace’s Air Filter
Your air filter helps keep your house’s air fresh and clean. When it gets too filthy, it can make your furnace turn on and off too often. Known as short cycling, this can cause your furnace to eat up additional fuel and make it wear out faster.
Our recommendations for replacing your furnace filter:
- Flat filter: Monthly
- Pleated filter: Every three months
You may have to replace your filter more frequently if you have allergies or pets.
3. Contact Point Heating & Cooling When Your Furnace Is Creating Strange Noises
Some furnaces, particularly older ones, might be louder than others. But if you’re hearing extremely loud or odd noises, you might need to get in touch with a heating and cooling company like Point Heating & Cooling for furnace repair in Plover.
Here are several noises to be on the lookout for, how to repair them and when to call a professional.
Furnace Making Gurgling or Bubbling Noise
This noise is more common with high-efficiency furnaces. That’s because they discharge fumes differently than older furnaces, and the process can create some moisture. If your furnace is running into difficulties draining this water, it might make gurgling or bubbling sounds. You’ll require professional support for this trouble, since it may 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 can mean several things.
Haven’t scheduled maintenance recently and your furnace is producing a banging sound when turning on? Its burners could be dirty. Dirty burners can hold up ignition, which causes gas to accumulate within your furnace.
All that accumulated gas can make a banging or booming noise when your furnace ultimately does ignite. But this is more than merely an irritating noise, as the built-up gas is exploding within your furnace. This can damage your furnace’s heat exchanger and cause a dangerous carbon monoxide leak.
If you’ve forgotten regular tune-ups for your furnace and you’re hearing this noise, give Point Heating & Cooling a call at 715-504-0533. Our heating pros will get your furnace tuned up and double-check it’s operating correctly.
Your ductwork can also create banging sounds when your furnace switches on, since the metal is expanding and contracting.
We advise first checking your furnace’s air filter and installing a new one if it’s dirty. Next, make sure you don’t have too many vents sealed in your house, as it can force air pressure out of balance.
If neither of these steps repair the problem, your ductwork could be dirty or undersized, which will call for assistance from a professional HVAC tech.
Furnace Making Humming or Buzzing Noise
If your furnace is buzzing or humming, it’s a flag there’s an electrical problem. This is most often seen with a faltering blower fan motor, which will produce a loud buzzing noise when your furnace begins to heat. It can also mean there’s trouble with the capacitor or transformer. All three of these problems need help from an experienced heating and cooling company like Point Heating & Cooling.
Furnace Making Knocking Noise
If your furnace is making knocking sounds, it’s usually a symptom that an internal part is going out. This can be anything from a bearing to a belt or the gas valve. It could also be a symptom that your burners need to be cleaned.
These problems are usually uncovered during annual maintenance provided by a certified HVAC pro. So, while we’re at your home performing repairs, don’t forget to ask us about booking your maintenance appointment for next year.
Furnace Making Clicking Noise
A clicking sound might be the result of things: worn bearings, gas valve problems or ignition problems. All these troubles need pro support.
At Point Heating & Cooling, our experts are here to help you unwind in peaceful, energy-efficient comfort. If your furnace is louder than it usually is or producing odd sounds, contact us at 715-504-0533 to book an appointment right away.