As your furnace switches on and prepares to warm up your home, it’s common for it to create some noise. These sounds, including the burners igniting and the blower operating, are all part of the usual start-up steps.
But there are a few things you can do to make your furnace quieter this winter.
1. Schedule Regular Furnace Maintenance
Furnace maintenance is highly important, as it keeps your manufacturer warranty valid. This helps protect you if something major goes wrong with your furnace during your warranty time.
It can also help our professionals find little problems that can make your furnace loud. And possibly help you prevent a malfunction on the coldest day of the year. The Indoor Air Quality Association reports that annual maintenance can reduce your likelihood of furnace meltdowns by up to 95%.
If small furnace issues keep on being ignored, they can lead to an issue down the road. By uncovering these issues early, our pros can get your furnace fixed before heating season is in full swing.
And, most important, professional cleaning and lubrication of your furnace’s moving parts can help make it more efficient. A properly maintained furnace could save up to 30% on your utility expenses, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
2. Regularly Replace Your Furnace’s Air Filter
Your air filter helps keep your house’s air fresh and clean. When it becomes 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 more energy and make it wear out faster.
Our recommendations for changing your furnace filter:
- Flat filter: Monthly
- Pleated filter: Every three months
You might have to replace your filter more regularly if you have allergies or pets.
3. Get in Touch with Halverson Brothers Inc When Your Furnace is Making Weird Noises
Some furnaces, especially older ones, might be noisier than others. But if you’re detecting exceedingly loud or odd noises, it may be time to contact a heating and cooling company like Halverson Brothers Inc for furnace repair in Menomonie and western Wisconsin.
Here are several noises to be on the lookout for, how to repair them and when to call a professional.
Furnace Making Gurgling or Bubbling Noise
This noise is more common with high-efficiency furnaces. That’s since they emit fumes in another way than older furnaces, and the process can make some moisture. If your furnace is running into issues discharging this water, it may make gurgling or bubbling sounds. You’ll require experienced 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 good thing when your furnace is making a banging sound. It could mean a couple of things.
Haven’t had maintenance done recently and your furnace is making a banging sound when beginning? Its burners may be dirty. Dirty burners can stall ignition, which results in gas accumulating within your furnace.
All that accumulated gas can cause a banging or booming racket when your furnace ultimately does ignite. But this is more than merely an annoying noise, as the built-up gas is igniting inside your furnace. This can break your furnace’s heat exchanger and create a dangerous carbon monoxide leak.
If you’ve forgotten regular maintenance for your furnace and you’re detecting this noise, give Halverson Brothers Inc a ring at 715-352-4052. Our heating pros will get your furnace tuned up and double-check it’s running safely.
Your ductwork can also produce banging sounds when your furnace turns on, as the metal is expanding and contracting.
We advise first inspecting your furnace’s air filter and getting a new one if it’s dirty. Next, double-check you don’t have too many vents closed in your residence, as it can force air pressure out of balance.
If neither of these steps take care of the sound, your ductwork could be dirty or undersized, which will call for 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 an irritating buzzing noise when your furnace switches on. It can also mean there’s trouble with the capacitor or transformer. All three of these troubles need assistance from a skilled heating and cooling company like Halverson Brothers Inc.
Furnace Making Knocking Noise
If your furnace is making knocking sounds, it’s typically a symptom that an internal part is going out. This can be anything from a bearing to a belt or the gas valve. It can also be a symptom that your burners need cleaning.
These issues are frequently unearthed during yearly maintenance performed by a certified HVAC technician. So, while we’re at your house performing repairs, don’t forget to ask us about requesting your maintenance appointment for next year.
Furnace Making Clicking Noise
A clicking sound might be the result of troubles: worn bearings, gas valve problems or ignition troubles. All these troubles require specialized help.
At Halverson Brothers Inc, our experts are here to help you relax in peaceful, energy-efficient comfort. If your furnace is louder than normal or creating strange sounds, contact us at 715-352-4052 to request an appointment today.