As your furnace turns on and prepares to add warmth to your house, it’s typical for it to make some noise. These sounds, like the burners igniting and the blower whirring, are all part of the usual start-up procedures.
But there are a couple of things you can do to make your furnace less noisy this winter.
1. Request Regular Furnace Maintenance
Furnace maintenance is highly important, since it keeps your manufacturer warranty ongoing. This helps protect you if something major stops working in your furnace during your warranty range.
It can also help our pros discover small issues that might make your furnace loud. And possibly help you avoid a malfunction on the chilliest 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 small furnace issues go unnoticed, they may cause trouble in the future. By finding these troubles sooner, our techs can get your furnace repaired before heating season is at its peak.
And most important, pro 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 energy expenses, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
2. Regularly Put in a New Furnace’s Air Filter
Your air filter helps keep your house’s air fresh and clean. When it turns too filthy, it can make your furnace turn on and off too often. Called short cycling, this can cause your furnace to consume additional energy and make it wear out faster.
Our recommendations for changing your furnace filter:
- Flat filter: Monthly
- Pleated filter: Every three months
You might have to get a new filter more often if you have allergies or pets.
3. Contact Schraer Heating & Air Conditioning When Your Furnace Is Producing Odd Noises
Some furnaces, particularly older ones, might be louder than others. But if you’re detecting very loud or weird noises, you should contact a heating and cooling company like Schraer Heating & Air Conditioning for furnace repair in Warrenton.
Here are a few noises to be on the lookout for, how to repair 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 since they emit fumes dissimilarly than older furnaces, and the process can make some moisture. If your furnace is having difficulties discharging this water, it could make gurgling or bubbling sounds. You’ll need experienced} support for this trouble, since it can be created by a blocked drain pipe or clogged drain pan.
Furnace Making Banging Noise
It’s not a positive thing when your furnace is making a banging sound. It may mean a couple of things.
Haven’t had maintenance done recently and your furnace is producing a banging sound when turning on? Its burners can be dirty. Dirty burners can hold up ignition, which results in gas accumulating in your furnace.
All that increased gas can make a banging or booming racket when your furnace finally} does ignite. But this is more than just 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 ignored regular maintenance for your furnace and you’re noticing this noise, give Schraer Heating & Air Conditioning a call at 636-456-5041. 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 switches on, as the metal is expanding and contracting.
We recommend first checking your furnace’s air filter and replacing it if it’s clogged. Next, ensure you don’t have too many vents closed in your house, as it can throw off air pressure.
If neither of these steps repair the sound, your ductwork might be dirty or undersized, which will be a need for assistance from a skilled HVAC tech.
Furnace Making Humming or Buzzing Noise
If your furnace is buzzing or humming, it’s a symptom there’s an electrical problem. This is most usually seen with a dying blower fan motor, which will create a loud buzzing noise when your furnace switches on. It might also mean there’s an issue with the capacitor or transformer. All three of these problems need help from a professional heating and cooling company like Schraer Heating & Air Conditioning.
Furnace Making Knocking Noise
If your furnace is making knocking sounds, it’s usually a symptom that an internal piece is breaking down. This could be anything from a bearing to a belt or the gas valve. It can also be a sign that your burners need cleaning.
These issues are often uncovered during yearly maintenance performed by a certified HVAC technician. So, while we’re at your house doing repairs, don’t forget to check with us about scheduling your maintenance appointment for next year.
Furnace Making Clicking Noise
A clicking sound might be the result of troubles: worn bearings, gas valve troubles or ignition problems. All these issues need specialized help.
At Schraer Heating & Air Conditioning, our specialists are here to help you enjoy peaceful, energy-efficient comfort. If your furnace is louder than it typically is or producing strange sounds, contact us at 636-456-5041 to schedule an appointment right away.