
As your furnace turns on and begins to add warmth to your residence, it’s typical 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 few steps you can do to make your furnace less noisy this winter.
1. Book Yearly Furnace Maintenance
Furnace maintenance is extremely important, as it keeps your manufacturer warranty in place. This helps protect you if something big stops working in your furnace during your warranty range.
It can also help our professionals spot minor issues that can make your furnace loud. And possibly help you avoid a breakdown on the chilliest day of the year. The Indoor Air Quality Association reports that regular maintenance can reduce your chance of furnace breakdowns by up to 95%.
If little furnace problems go undetected, they may cause trouble down the road. By discovering these troubles sooner, our professionals can get your furnace fixed before heating season begins.
And most critical, professional cleaning and lubrication of your furnace’s moving components can help make it more efficient. A correctly maintained furnace could save up to 30% on your gas bills, 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 gets too filthy, it can make your furnace turn on and off too frequently. Referred to as short cycling, this can cause your furnace to consume additional gas and make it wear out faster.
Our recommendations for changing your furnace filter:
- Flat filter: Once a month
- Pleated filter: Every three months
You may have to install a new filter more regularly if you have allergies or pets.
3. Contact Dave's Diversified Services When Your Furnace Is Creating Odd Noises
Some furnaces, often older ones, can make more noise than others. But if you’re hearing exceedingly loud or strange noises, it may be time to get in touch with a heating and cooling company like Dave's Diversified Services for furnace repair in Front Royal.
Here are a couple of noises to keep an eye out for, how to fix them and when to call a specialist.
Furnace Making Gurgling or Bubbling Noise
This noise occurs more commonly with high-efficiency furnaces. That’s due to the fact they emit fumes in another way than older furnaces, and the process can produce some moisture. If your furnace is having difficulties removing this water, it may make gurgling or bubbling sounds. You’ll require professional} 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 could mean a couple of things.
Haven’t scheduled maintenance recently and your furnace is producing a banging sound when turning on? Its burners could be dirty. Dirty burners can hold up ignition, which causes gas to accumulate within your furnace.
All that built-up gas can create a banging or booming noise when your furnace eventually} does ignite. But this is more than just an irritating noise, because the increased gas is exploding within your furnace. This can break your furnace’s heat exchanger and create a deadly carbon monoxide leak.
If you’ve ignored regular 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 ensure it’s working correctly.
Your ductwork can also make banging sounds when your furnace starts, because 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 shut in your residence, as it can force air pressure out of balance.
If neither of these steps repair the problem, your ductwork could be dirty or undersized, which will be a need for assistance from a skilled HVAC specialist.
Furnace Making Humming or Buzzing Noise
If your furnace is buzzing or humming, it’s a symptom there’s an electrical issue. This is most usually seen with a sputtering blower fan motor, which will create an annoying 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 professional heating and cooling company like Dave's Diversified Services.
Furnace Making Knocking Noise
If your furnace is making knocking sounds, it’s usually a symptom that an internal component is dying. This might be anything from a bearing to a belt or the gas valve. It might also be an indication that your burners are dirty.
These issues are typically uncovered during regular maintenance provided by a certified HVAC tech. So, while we’re at your residence working on repairs, don’t forget to ask us about requesting your maintenance appointment for the future.
Furnace Making Clicking Noise
A clicking sound may be the result of issues: worn bearings, gas valve troubles or ignition troubles. All these troubles need pro help.
At Dave's Diversified Services, our pros are here to help you unwind in peaceful, energy-efficient comfort. If your furnace is louder than it typically is or producing odd sounds, contact us at 540-636-3396 to request an appointment now.