As your furnace turns on and gets ready to heat your residence, it’s expected for it to produce some noise. These sounds, including the burners igniting and the blower whirring, are all part of the usual start-up procedures.
But there are several approaches you can do to make your furnace less noisy this winter.
1. Book Annual Furnace Maintenance
Furnace maintenance is extremely important, because it keeps your manufacturer warranty valid. This helps defend you if something big stops working in your furnace during your warranty period.
It can also help our pros uncover minor issues that might make your furnace loud. And potentially help you avoid a meltdown on the most frigid day of the year. The Indoor Air Quality Association reports that regular maintenance can lower your chance of furnace meltdowns by up to 95%.
If small furnace troubles go undetected, they may result in trouble down the road. By finding these problems sooner, our pros can get your furnace fixed before heating season is underway.
And most critical, pro cleaning and lubrication of your furnace’s moving parts can help make it more efficient. A well-maintained furnace could save up to 30% on your energy expenses, 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 clogged, it can make your furnace turn on and off more than it should. Known as short cycling, this can cause your furnace to use additional gas and make it stop working faster.
Our advice for changing your furnace filter:
- Flat filter: Every month
- Pleated filter: Every three months
You might have to replace your filter more frequently if you have allergies or pets.
3. Call GV Heating & Air When Your Furnace Is Creating Odd Noises
Some furnaces, often older ones, could be noisier than others. But if you’re noticing extremely loud or strange noises, you might need to get in touch with a heating and cooling company like GV Heating & Air for furnace repair in Crystal and Twin Cities.
Here are a couple of noises to be looking for, how to solve 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 because they emit fumes dissimilarly than older furnaces, and the process can create some moisture. If your furnace is running into difficulties draining this water, it could make gurgling or bubbling sounds. You’ll require professional support for this problem, since it may be created by a blocked drain pipe or clogged drain pan.
Furnace Making Banging Noise
It’s not a good thing when your furnace is making a banging sound. It might mean a few things.
Haven’t requested maintenance recently and your furnace is making a banging sound when beginning? Its burners might be dirty. Dirty burners can hold up ignition, which results in gas accumulating within your furnace.
All that built-up gas can create a banging or booming racket when your furnace ultimately does ignite. But this is more than only an irritating noise, as the built-up gas is exploding within your furnace. This can damage your furnace’s heat exchanger and cause a deadly carbon monoxide leak.
If you’ve forgotten regular maintenance for your furnace and you’re hearing this noise, give GV Heating & Air a shout at 763-535-2000. Our heating professionals will get your furnace tuned up and ensure it’s working correctly.
Your ductwork can also create banging sounds when your furnace switches on, because the metal is expanding and contracting.
We advise first inspecting 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 things repair the problem, your ductwork could be dirty or undersized, which will require assistance from a pro HVAC specialist.
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 faltering blower fan motor, which will produce a loud buzzing noise when your furnace turns on. It might also mean there’s an issue with the capacitor or transformer. All three of these troubles need help from a professional heating and cooling company like GV Heating & Air.
Furnace Making Knocking Noise
If your furnace is making knocking sounds, it’s typically a symptom that an internal component is worn out. This could be anything from a bearing to a belt or the gas valve. It can also be a symptom that your burners are dirty.
These issues are typically uncovered during annual maintenance performed by a certified HVAC technician. So, while we’re at your home doing repairs, don’t forget to inquire about booking your maintenance appointment for the upcoming year.
Furnace Making Clicking Noise
A clicking sound might be the result of problems: worn bearings, gas valve problems or ignition issues. All these troubles need pro assistance.
At GV Heating & Air, our specialists are here to help you enjoy peaceful, energy-efficient comfort. If your furnace is louder than it usually is or producing odd sounds, contact us at 763-535-2000 to get an appointment now.
