As your furnace turns on and gets ready to heat your home, it’s normal for it to create some noise. These sounds, like the burners lighting and the blower running, are all part of the typical start-up process.
But there are a couple of approaches you can do to make your furnace quieter this winter.
1. Request Regular Furnace Maintenance
Furnace maintenance is highly important, since it keeps your manufacturer warranty valid. This helps shield you if something major stops working in your furnace during your warranty time.
It can also help our pros uncover minor issues that might make your furnace noisy. And possibly help you avoid a malfunction on the coldest day of the year. The Indoor Air Quality Association reports that annual maintenance can decrease your probability of furnace malfunctions by up to 95%.
If small furnace troubles go ignored, they may result in trouble down the road. By uncovering these issues sooner, our pros can get your furnace taken care of before heating season begins.
And most essential, professional cleaning and lubrication of your furnace’s moving components can help make it more efficient. A properly maintained furnace could save up to 30% on your heating bills, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
2. Frequently Replace Your Furnace’s Air Filter
Your air filter helps keep your house’s air fresh and clean. When it becomes too dirty, it can make your furnace turn on and off too often. Known as short cycling, this can cause your furnace to consume additional fuel and make it break down faster.
Our suggestions for replacing your furnace filter:
- Flat filter: Every month
- Pleated filter: Every three months
You could have to install a new filter more often if you have allergies or pets.
3. Call HCE Systems When Your Furnace Is Making Odd Noises
Some furnaces, particularly older ones, might be noisier than others. But if you’re hearing extremely loud or strange noises, you should contact a heating and cooling company like HCE Systems for furnace repair in Norton.
Here are several noises to be looking for, how to take care of them and when to call a professional.
Furnace Making Gurgling or Bubbling Noise
This noise occurs more commonly with high-efficiency furnaces. That’s due to the fact they discharge fumes differently than older furnaces, and the process can make some moisture. If your furnace is experiencing difficulties discharging this water, it could 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 can mean several things.
Haven’t scheduled maintenance recently and your furnace is making a banging sound when starting? Its burners could be dirty. Dirty burners can stall ignition, which causes gas to accumulate inside your furnace.
All that increased gas can cause a banging or booming racket when your furnace eventually does ignite. But this is more than merely an irritating noise, because the accumulated gas is erupting within your furnace. This can break your furnace’s heat exchanger and create a deadly carbon monoxide leak.
If you’ve overlooked regular maintenance for your furnace and you’re detecting this noise, give HCE Systems a call at 276-302-0076. Our heating specialists will get your furnace tuned up and ensure it’s running correctly.
Your ductwork can also produce banging sounds when your furnace turns on, because 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 home, as it can force air pressure out of balance.
If neither of these things repair the sound, your ductwork might be dirty or undersized, which will call for assistance from a skilled HVAC technician.
Furnace Making Humming or Buzzing Noise
If your furnace is buzzing or humming, it’s a flag there’s electrical troubles. This is most usually seen with a faltering blower fan motor, which will produce an irritating buzzing noise when your furnace begins to heat. It could also mean there’s trouble with the capacitor or transformer. All three of these issues need help from a skilled heating and cooling company like HCE Systems.
Furnace Making Knocking Noise
If your furnace is making knocking sounds, it’s usually a symptom that an internal piece is worn out. This could be anything from a bearing to a belt or the gas valve. It may also be a symptom that your burners need to be cleaned.
These issues are typically uncovered during regular maintenance performed by a certified HVAC technician. So, while we’re at your house working on repairs, don’t forget to inquire about requesting your maintenance appointment for the future.
Furnace Making Clicking Noise
A clicking sound may be the result of things: worn bearings, gas valve troubles or ignition issues. All these issues need pro assistance.
At HCE Systems, our experts 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 276-302-0076 to request an appointment today.