As your furnace turns on and begins to add warmth to your residence, it’s expected for it to create some noise. These sounds, such as the burners igniting and the blower operating, are all part of the normal start-up process.
But there are a few things you can do to make your furnace less noisy this winter.
1. Request Annual Furnace Maintenance
Furnace maintenance is extremely important, as it keeps your manufacturer warranty valid. This helps protect you if something huge stops working in your furnace during your warranty range.
It can also help our pros find little issues that might make your furnace loud. And potentially help you prevent a malfunction on the coldest day of the year. The Indoor Air Quality Association reports that routine maintenance can lower your likelihood of furnace breakdowns by up to 95%.
If small furnace troubles go undetected, they may result in trouble in the future. By unearthing these troubles sooner, our techs can get your furnace fixed before heating season begins.
And most critical, professional cleaning and lubrication of your furnace’s moving pieces can help make it more efficient. A well-maintained furnace could save up to 30% on your utility expenses, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
2. Regularly Change Your Furnace’s Air Filter
Your air filter helps keep your home’s air fresh and clean. When it becomes too filthy, it can make your furnace turn on and off too frequently. Called short cycling, this can cause your furnace to consume additional energy and make it break down faster.
Our suggestions for changing your furnace filter:
- Flat filter: Monthly
- Pleated filter: Every three months
You might have to change your filter more regularly if you have allergies or pets.
3. Call Scott Temperature When Your Furnace Is Producing Strange Noises
Some furnaces, often older ones, might make more noise than others. But if you’re detecting extremely loud or strange noises, you might need to call a heating and cooling company like Scott Temperature for furnace repair in Lawrence.
Here are a few noises to be on the lookout for, how to solve them and when to contact a pro.
Furnace Making Gurgling or Bubbling Noise
This noise occurs more commonly with high-efficiency furnaces. That’s due to the fact they exhaust fumes dissimilarly than older furnaces, and the process can create some moisture. If your furnace is experiencing difficulties removing this water, it can make gurgling or bubbling sounds. You’ll need pro support 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 thing when your furnace is making a banging sound. It could mean a few things.
Haven’t had maintenance done recently and your furnace is producing a banging sound when beginning? Its burners could be dirty. Dirty burners can delay ignition, which causes gas to accumulate inside your furnace.
All that accumulated 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 damage your furnace’s heat exchanger and cause a dangerous carbon monoxide leak.
If you’ve forgotten regular service for your furnace and you’re hearing this noise, give Scott Temperature a ring at 785-269-0465. Our heating professionals will get your furnace tuned up and ensure it’s running correctly.
Your ductwork can also create banging sounds when your furnace starts, as the metal is expanding and contracting.
We advise first checking your furnace’s air filter and getting a new one if it’s clogged. Next, make sure you don’t have too many vents sealed in your house, as it can throw off air pressure.
If neither of these methods repair the problem, your ductwork could be dirty or undersized, which will be a need for assistance from a pro HVAC technician.
Furnace Making Humming or Buzzing Noise
If your furnace is buzzing or humming, it’s a sign there’s an electrical issue. This is most usually seen with a sputtering blower fan motor, which will create a loud buzzing noise when your furnace begins to heat. It might also mean there’s a problem with the capacitor or transformer. All three of these problems need assistance from a skilled heating and cooling company like Scott Temperature.
Furnace Making Knocking Noise
If your furnace is making knocking sounds, it’s typically a symptom that an internal piece is breaking down. This may be anything from a bearing to a belt or the gas valve. It may also be a symptom that your burners need cleaning.
These issues are often uncovered during regular maintenance performed by a certified HVAC pro. So, while we’re at your residence doing repairs, don’t forget to ask us about booking your maintenance appointment for the future.
Furnace Making Clicking Noise
A clicking sound might be the result of things: worn bearings, gas valve problems or ignition problems. All these issues need professional support.
At Scott Temperature, our pros are here to help you unwind in peaceful, energy-efficient comfort. If your furnace is louder than normal or producing odd sounds, contact us at 785-269-0465 to book an appointment right away.