As your furnace turns on and begins to warm up your home, it’s common for it to make some noise. These sounds, such as the burners igniting and the blower running, are all part of the normal start-up process.
But there are a couple of things you can do to make your furnace quieter this winter.
1. Schedule Annual Furnace Maintenance
Furnace maintenance is very important, because it keeps your manufacturer warranty in place. This helps defend you if something major stops working in your furnace during your warranty period.
It can also help our pros uncover little issues that might make your furnace noisy. And potentially help you prevent a meltdown on the coldest day of the year. The Indoor Air Quality Association reports that annual maintenance can reduce your likelihood of furnace repairs by up to 95%.
If minor furnace issues go unnoticed, they may lead to trouble later on. By discovering these troubles sooner, our technicians can get your furnace taken care of before heating season begins.
And most critical, specialized 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. Frequently Install a New Furnace’s Air Filter
Your air filter helps keep your residence’s air fresh and clean. When it gets too clogged, it can make your furnace turn on and off too frequently. Known as short cycling, this can cause your furnace to eat up additional energy and make it stop working faster.
Our suggestions for replacing your furnace filter:
- Flat filter: Once a month
- Pleated filter: Every three months
You could have to get a new filter more often if you have allergies or pets.
3. Contact Herman Allen Plumbing, Heating & Cooling When Your Furnace Is Making Weird Noises
Some furnaces, particularly older ones, might make more noise than others. But if you’re hearing extremely loud or odd noises, you should contact a heating and cooling company like Herman Allen Plumbing, Heating & Cooling for furnace repair in Greater Richmond.
Here are several noises to be looking for, how to repair them and when to call a specialist.
Furnace Making Gurgling or Bubbling Noise
This noise is more common with high-efficiency furnaces. That’s because they discharge fumes dissimilarly than older furnaces, and the process can create some moisture. If your furnace is running into difficulties discharging this water, it may make gurgling or bubbling sounds. You’ll want skilled support for this issue, since it can 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 may mean several things.
Haven’t scheduled maintenance recently and your furnace is producing a banging sound when turning on? Its burners may be dirty. Dirty burners can stall ignition, which leads gas to accumulate inside your furnace.
All that accumulated gas can create a banging or booming sound when your furnace ultimately does ignite. But this is more than merely an irritating noise, because the built-up gas is igniting within your furnace. This can crack your furnace’s heat exchanger and make a dangerous carbon monoxide leak.
If you’ve forgotten regular service for your furnace and you’re detecting this noise, give Herman Allen Plumbing, Heating & Cooling a ring at 804-302-6657. Our heating professionals 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 advise first checking your furnace’s air filter and installing a new one if it’s dirty. Next, double-check you don’t have too many vents closed in your home, as it can throw off air pressure.
If neither of these things repair the sound, your ductwork could be dirty or undersized, which will require assistance from a pro HVAC specialist.
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 usually seen with a dying blower fan motor, which will make an irritating buzzing noise when your furnace turns on. It may also mean there’s a problem with the capacitor or transformer. All three of these troubles need help from a professional heating and cooling company like Herman Allen Plumbing, Heating & Cooling.
Furnace Making Knocking Noise
If your furnace is making knocking sounds, it’s often a symptom that an internal piece is dying. This may be anything from a bearing to a belt or the gas valve. It might also be a sign that your burners need cleaning.
These troubles are typically uncovered during regular maintenance provided by a certified HVAC pro. So, while we’re at your house doing repairs, don’t forget to check with us about booking your maintenance appointment for the future.
Furnace Making Clicking Noise
A clicking sound can be the result of issues: worn bearings, gas valve troubles or ignition problems. All these problems need pro help.
At Herman Allen Plumbing, 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 weird sounds, contact us at 804-302-6657 to book an appointment today.