As your furnace switches on and begins to add warmth to your residence, it’s normal for it to create some noise. These sounds, such as the burners firing up and the blower whirring, are all part of the typical start-up procedures.
But there are several things you can do to make your furnace less noisy this winter.
1. Book Yearly Furnace Maintenance
Furnace maintenance is very important, because it keeps your manufacturer warranty valid. This helps defend you if something major malfunctions in your furnace during your warranty range.
It can also help us discover minor troubles that might make your furnace annoying. And potentially help you prevent a meltdown on the most frigid day of the year. The Indoor Air Quality Association reports that routine maintenance can decrease your probability of furnace breakdowns by up to 95%.
If little furnace issues go undetected, they could result in a breakdown later on. By discovering these issues sooner, our technicians can get your furnace taken care of before heating season is underway.
And, most essential, professional cleaning and lubrication of your furnace’s moving pieces can help make it more efficient. A properly maintained furnace could save up to 30% on your gas expenses, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
2. Routinely Replace Your Furnace’s Air Filter
Your air filter helps keep your house’s air fresh and clean. When it turns too clogged, it can make your furnace turn on and off too frequently. Called short cycling, this can cause your furnace to eat up extra energy and make it stop working faster.
Our advice for replacing your furnace filter:
- Flat filter: Monthly
- Pleated filter: Every three months
You may have to get a new filter more frequently if you have allergies or pets.
3. Get in Touch with Air Alliance Team When Your Furnace is Making Weird Noises
Some furnaces, particularly older ones, might be noisier than others. But if you’re detecting very loud or odd noises, you might need to contact a heating and cooling company like Air Alliance Team for furnace repair in Ballwin and St. Charles.
Here are a few noises to be looking for, how to fix them and when to get in touch with a pro.
Furnace Making Gurgling or Bubbling Noise
This noise is more common with high-efficiency furnaces. That’s due to the fact they exhaust fumes differently than older furnaces, and the process can produce some moisture. If your furnace is experiencing difficulties removing this water, it may make gurgling or bubbling sounds. You’ll require professional assistance for this trouble, since it can be caused by a blocked drain pipe or clogged drain pan.
Furnace Making Banging Noise
It’s not a great indicator when your furnace is making a banging sound. It might mean a few things.
Haven’t scheduled maintenance this year and your furnace is creating a banging sound when turning on? Its burners might be dirty. Dirty burners can delay ignition, which results in gas accumulating within your furnace.
All that built-up gas can cause a banging or booming racket when your furnace eventually does ignite. But this is more than only an annoying noise, as the increased gas is igniting inside your furnace. This can crack your furnace’s heat exchanger and create a life-threatening carbon monoxide leak.
If you’ve ignored yearly service for your furnace and you’re detecting this noise, give Air Alliance Team a call at 636-206-4250. Our heating pros will get your furnace tuned up and make sure it’s working properly.
Your ductwork can also create banging sounds when your furnace starts, as the metal is expanding and contracting.
We suggest first checking your furnace’s air filter and getting a new one if it’s clogged. Next, double-check you don’t have too many vents shut in your residence, as it can make air pressure uneven.
If neither of these things take care of the problem, your ductwork may be dirty or undersized, which will call for assistance from a pro HVAC tech.
Furnace Making Humming or Buzzing Noise
If your furnace is buzzing or humming, it’s a flag there’s an electrical issue. This is most frequently seen with a sputtering blower fan motor, which will create an irritating buzzing noise when your furnace begins to heat. It could also mean there’s an issue with the capacitor or transformer. All three of these issues call for support from a skilled heating and cooling company like Air Alliance Team.
Furnace Making Knocking Noise
If your furnace is making knocking sounds, it’s frequently a sign that an internal component is breaking down. This might be anything from a bearing to a belt or the gas valve. It might also be an indication that your burners need to be cleaned.
These issues are often caught during yearly maintenance performed by a certified HVAC technician. So, while we’re at your residence working on repairs, don’t forget to inquire about requesting your maintenance appointment for next year.
Furnace Making Clicking Noise
A clicking sound could mean a couple of troubles: worn bearings, gas valve troubles or ignition troubles. All these troubles call for skilled help.
At Air Alliance Team, our pros are here to help you relax in peaceful, energy-efficient comfort. If your furnace is louder than normal or producing weird sounds, contact us at 636-206-4250 to schedule an appointment now.