As your furnace starts up and begins to heat your residence, it’s normal for it to make some noise. These sounds, including the burners igniting and the blower operating, are all part of the typical start-up steps.
But there are a couple of things you can do to make your furnace run more quietly this winter.
1. Request Yearly Furnace Maintenance
Furnace maintenance is extremely important, since it keeps your manufacturer warranty valid. This helps shield you if something major stops working in your furnace during your warranty period.
It can also help us discover little issues that can make your furnace annoying. And potentially help you prevent a malfunction on the most frigid day of the year. The Indoor Air Quality Association reports that annual maintenance can lower your probability of furnace malfunctions by up to 95%.
If small furnace issues go ignored, they may result in trouble in the future. By unearthing these troubles sooner, our technicians can get your furnace repaired before heating season is in full swing.
And most critical, pro cleaning and lubrication of your furnace’s moving components can help make it more efficient. A properly maintained furnace could save up to 30% on your gas bills, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
2. Regularly Put in 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. Referred to as short cycling, this can cause your furnace to consume additional fuel and make it stop working faster.
Our suggestions for changing your furnace filter:
- Flat filter: Monthly
- Pleated filter: Every three months
You might have to install a new filter more frequently if you have allergies or pets.
3. Call Mountain Air When Your Furnace Is Creating Strange Noises
Some furnaces, especially older ones, can make more noise than others. But if you’re detecting extremely loud or strange noises, you should get in touch with a heating and cooling company like Mountain Air for furnace repair in Morgantown.
Here are a few noises to be looking for, how to fix them and when to call a professional.
Furnace Making Gurgling or Bubbling Noise
This noise is more common with high-efficiency furnaces. That’s because they exhaust fumes dissimilarly than older furnaces, and the process can create some moisture. If your furnace is experiencing difficulties draining this water, it can make gurgling or bubbling sounds. You’ll require skilled 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 great thing when your furnace is making a banging sound. It can mean a few things.
Haven’t scheduled maintenance recently and your furnace is producing a banging sound when starting? Its burners can be dirty. Dirty burners can delay ignition, which results in gas accumulating in your furnace.
All that accumulated gas can make a banging or booming racket when your furnace ultimately does ignite. But this is more than just an irritating noise, since the increased gas is igniting within your furnace. This can damage your furnace’s heat exchanger and create a dangerous carbon monoxide leak.
If you’ve overlooked regular tune-ups for your furnace and you’re detecting this noise, give Mountain Air a ring at 304-413-1287. Our heating specialists will get your furnace tuned up and make sure it’s operating correctly.
Your ductwork can also create banging sounds when your furnace switches on, because the metal is expanding and contracting.
We recommend first checking your furnace’s air filter and installing a new one if it’s filthy. Next, ensure you don’t have too many vents closed in your house, as it can throw off air pressure.
If neither of these things repair the issue, your ductwork might be dirty or undersized, which will require assistance from a professional HVAC tech.
Furnace Making Humming or Buzzing Noise
If your furnace is buzzing or humming, it’s a flag there’s electrical troubles. This is most often seen with a dying blower fan motor, which will create a loud buzzing noise when your furnace starts. It may also mean there’s an issue with the capacitor or transformer. All three of these problems need assistance from an experienced heating and cooling company like Mountain Air.
Furnace Making Knocking Noise
If your furnace is making knocking sounds, it’s often a symptom that an internal part is going out. This could be anything from a bearing to a belt or the gas valve. It may also be an indication that your burners need cleaning.
These problems are often uncovered during annual maintenance done by a certified HVAC professional. So, while we’re at your house doing repairs, don’t forget to ask us about scheduling your maintenance appointment for next year.
Furnace Making Clicking Noise
A clicking sound could be the result of issues: worn bearings, gas valve problems or ignition issues. All these problems need pro help.
At Mountain Air, our professionals are here to help you relax in peaceful, energy-efficient comfort. If your furnace is louder than normal or producing odd sounds, contact us at 304-413-1287 to book an appointment now.