As your furnace starts up and begins to warm up your house, it’s normal for it to make some noise. These sounds, including the burners lighting and the blower whirring, are all part of the typical start-up steps.
But there are a few things you can do to make your furnace quieter this winter.
1. Schedule Annual Furnace Maintenance
Furnace maintenance is extremely important, because it keeps your manufacturer warranty valid. This helps protect you if something big malfunctions in your furnace during your warranty time.
It can also help our pros spot minor troubles that could make your furnace noisy. And potentially help you avoid a meltdown on the coldest day of the year. The Indoor Air Quality Association reports that routine maintenance can decrease your probability of furnace meltdowns by up to 95%.
If little furnace issues go unnoticed, they might cause trouble later on. By unearthing these troubles in advance, our technicians can get your furnace taken care of before heating season is in full swing.
And, most essential, 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 heating costs, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
2. Routinely Change Your Furnace’s Air Filter
Your air filter helps keep your home’s air fresh and clean. When it becomes too dirty, it can make your furnace turn on and off too often. Referred to as short cycling, this can cause your furnace to consume more energy and make it stop working faster.
Our suggestions for changing your furnace filter:
- Flat filter: Monthly
- Pleated filter: Every three months
You could have to replace your filter more regularly if you have allergies or pets.
3. Contact Dave's Diversified Services When Your Furnace is Making Weird Noises
Some furnaces, especially older ones, could make more noise than others. But if you’re noticing exceedingly loud or odd noises, you might need to contact a heating and cooling company like Dave's Diversified Services for furnace repair in Front Royal.
Here are a few noises to keep an eye out for, how to fix them and when to contact a pro.
Furnace Making Gurgling or Bubbling Noise
This noise happens more frequently with high-efficiency furnaces. That’s because they discharge fumes differently than older furnaces, and the process can create some moisture. If your furnace is running into issues draining this water, it may make gurgling or bubbling sounds. You’ll need professional assistance for this issue, since it may be created by a blocked drain pipe or clogged drain pan.
Furnace Making Banging Noise
It’s not a positive indicator when your furnace is making a banging sound. It could mean a few things.
Haven’t had maintenance done this year and your furnace is creating a banging sound when starting? Its burners could be dirty. Dirty burners can hold up ignition, which results in gas accumulating in your furnace.
All that built-up gas can make a banging or booming noise when your furnace ultimately 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 cause a deadly carbon monoxide leak.
If you’ve neglected annual service for your furnace and you’re noticing this noise, give Dave's Diversified Services a shout at 540-636-3396. Our heating specialists will get your furnace tuned up and double-check it’s operating properly.
Your ductwork can also make banging sounds when your furnace starts, since the metal is expanding and contracting.
We recommend first inspecting your furnace’s air filter and getting a new one if it’s dirty. Next, make sure you don’t have too many vents closed in your residence, as it can make air pressure uneven.
If neither of these steps repair the problem, your ductwork may be dirty or undersized, which will require assistance from a professional HVAC technician.
Furnace Making Humming or Buzzing Noise
If your furnace is buzzing or humming, it’s a flag there’s an electrical problem. This is most frequently seen with a faltering blower fan motor, which will create an irritating buzzing noise when your furnace turns on. It could also mean there’s trouble with the capacitor or transformer. All three of these troubles call for help from a professional heating and cooling company like Dave's Diversified Services.
Furnace Making Knocking Noise
If your furnace is making knocking sounds, it’s usually an indication that an internal part is dying. This may be anything from a bearing to a belt or the gas valve. It might also be a symptom that your burners need to be cleaned.
These issues are often uncovered during annual maintenance performed by a certified HVAC professional. So, while we’re at your house working on repairs, don’t forget to check with us about requesting your maintenance appointment for the upcoming year.
Furnace Making Clicking Noise
A clicking sound might be the result of issues: worn bearings, gas valve troubles or ignition problems. All these troubles call for skilled help.
At Dave's Diversified Services, our professionals are here to help you unwind in peaceful, energy-efficient comfort. If your furnace is louder than normal or creating weird sounds, contact us at 540-636-3396 to get an appointment now.