As your furnace switches on and begins to add warmth to your house, it’s typical for it to produce some noise. These sounds, such as the burners firing up and the blower operating, are all part of the normal start-up process.
But there are a couple of steps you can do to make your furnace run more quietly this winter.
1. Schedule Yearly Furnace Maintenance
Furnace maintenance is extremely important, since it keeps your manufacturer warranty ongoing. This helps shield you if something huge stops working in your furnace during your warranty period.
It can also help our pros discover little problems that might make your furnace loud. And potentially help you prevent a meltdown on the most frigid day of the year. The Indoor Air Quality Association reports that regular maintenance can decrease your probability of furnace meltdowns by up to 95%.
If minor furnace issues go undetected, they could lead to trouble later on. By uncovering these issues early, our technicians can get your furnace repaired before heating season is at its peak.
And, most essential, pro cleaning and lubrication of your furnace’s moving pieces can help make it more efficient. A correctly maintained furnace could save up to 30% on your energy expenses, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
2. Frequently Replace Your Furnace’s Air Filter
Your air filter helps keep your home’s air fresh and clean. When it turns too clogged, it can make your furnace turn on and off too often. Called short cycling, this can cause your furnace to consume extra gas and make it break down more quickly.
Our suggestions for replacing your furnace filter:
- Flat filter: Every month
- Pleated filter: Every three months
You might have to install a new filter more often if you have allergies or pets.
3. Contact Strine's Heating & Air Conditioning When Your Furnace is Creating Odd Noises
Some furnaces, particularly older ones, could make more noise than others. But if you’re noticing very loud or weird noises, it may be time to call a heating and cooling company like Strine's Heating & Air Conditioning for furnace repair in York.
Here are several noises to be on the lookout for, how to repair them and when to call a pro.
Furnace Making Gurgling or Bubbling Noise
This noise happens more frequently with high-efficiency furnaces. That’s since they exhaust 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 experienced support for this trouble, since it could be the result of 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 scheduled maintenance this year and your furnace is making a banging sound when turning on? Its burners may be dirty. Dirty burners can stall ignition, which results in gas accumulating within your furnace.
All that built-up gas can create a banging or booming sound when your furnace eventually does ignite. But this is more than only a bothersome noise, as the built-up gas is erupting in your furnace. This can damage your furnace’s heat exchanger and make a dangerous carbon monoxide leak.
If you’ve neglected yearly tune-ups for your furnace and you’re noticing this noise, give Strine's Heating & Air Conditioning a shout at 717-383-4479. Our heating specialists will get your furnace tuned up and double-check it’s operating correctly.
Your ductwork can also produce banging sounds when your furnace turns on, since the metal is expanding and contracting.
We recommend first looking at your furnace’s air filter and replacing it if it’s filthy. Next, ensure you don’t have too many vents closed in your residence, as it can force air pressure out of balance.
If neither of these things repair the problem, your ductwork might be dirty or undersized, which will require assistance from a skilled HVAC specialist.
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 sputtering blower fan motor, which will produce a loud buzzing noise when your furnace starts. It may also mean there’s a problem with the capacitor or transformer. All three of these problems require assistance from an experienced heating and cooling company like Strine's Heating & Air Conditioning.
Furnace Making Knocking Noise
If your furnace is making knocking sounds, it’s usually an indication that an internal part is worn out. This might be anything from a bearing to a belt or the gas valve. It could also be a symptom that your burners need cleaning.
These issues are frequently uncovered during yearly maintenance done by a certified HVAC technician. So, while we’re at your home doing repairs, don’t forget to inquire about requesting your maintenance appointment for next year.
Furnace Making Clicking Noise
A clicking sound may mean a couple of things: worn bearings, gas valve problems or ignition problems. All these troubles require specialized support.
At Strine's Heating & Air Conditioning, our experts are here to help you unwind in peaceful, energy-efficient comfort. If your furnace is louder than it usually is or making odd sounds, contact us at 717-383-4479 to get an appointment right away.