As your furnace starts up and prepares to warm up your house, it’s typical for it to make some noise. These sounds, like the burners firing up and the blower running, are all part of the normal start-up process.
But there are a couple of approaches you can do to make your furnace quieter this winter.
1. Request Yearly Furnace Maintenance
Furnace maintenance is highly important, since it keeps your manufacturer warranty in place. This helps shield you if something major goes wrong with your furnace during your warranty range.
It can also help our pros find small problems that could make your furnace loud. And potentially help you avoid a meltdown on the coldest day of the year. The Indoor Air Quality Association reports that routine maintenance can lower your chance of furnace malfunctions by up to 95%.
If small furnace troubles keep on being ignored, they may result in a breakdown down the road. By finding these issues sooner, our pros can get your furnace taken care of before heating season is in full swing.
And, most essential, professional 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 gas bills, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
2. Routinely Change Your Furnace’s Air Filter
Your air filter helps keep your residence’s air fresh and clean. When it becomes too dirty, it can make your furnace turn on and off more than it should. Called short cycling, this can cause your furnace to eat up additional fuel and make it stop working more quickly.
Our recommendations for replacing your furnace filter:
- Flat filter: Once a month
- Pleated filter: Every three months
You might have to install a new filter more regularly if you have allergies or pets.
3. Get in Touch with GV Heating & Air When Your Furnace is Making Odd Noises
Some furnaces, particularly older ones, could be noisier than others. But if you’re hearing very loud or weird noises, it may be time to get in touch with a heating and cooling company like GV Heating & Air for furnace repair in Crystal and Twin Cities.
Here are several noises to keep an eye out for, how to repair them and when to contact a pro.
Furnace Making Gurgling or Bubbling Noise
This noise occurs more commonly with high-efficiency furnaces. That’s due to the fact they emit fumes differently than older furnaces, and the process can create some moisture. If your furnace is experiencing troubles draining this water, it might make gurgling or bubbling sounds. You’ll need experienced support for this problem, since it may be caused 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 few things.
Haven’t requested maintenance this year and your furnace is making a banging sound when beginning? Its burners could 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 noise when your furnace eventually does ignite. But this is more than only an annoying noise, because the increased gas is igniting within your furnace. This can break your furnace’s heat exchanger and create a deadly carbon monoxide leak.
If you’ve forgotten regular service for your furnace and you’re noticing this noise, give GV Heating & Air a ring at 763-535-2000. Our heating professionals will get your furnace tuned up and ensure it’s running properly.
Your ductwork can also make banging sounds when your furnace starts, as the metal is expanding and contracting.
We suggest first looking at your furnace’s air filter and replacing it if it’s dirty. Next, make sure you don’t have too many vents sealed in your home, as it can throw off air pressure.
If neither of these things repair the problem, your ductwork might be dirty or undersized, which will require assistance from a professional 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 faltering blower fan motor, which will produce a loud buzzing noise when your furnace begins to heat. It could also mean there’s a problem with the capacitor or transformer. All three of these problems need help from an experienced heating and cooling company like GV Heating & Air.
Furnace Making Knocking Noise
If your furnace is making knocking sounds, it’s typically an indication that an internal piece is going out. This might be anything from a bearing to a belt or the gas valve. It may also be a sign that your burners need to be cleaned.
These issues are often unearthed during regular maintenance performed by a certified HVAC technician. So, while we’re at your residence working on repairs, don’t forget to ask us about scheduling your maintenance appointment for next year.
Furnace Making Clicking Noise
A clicking sound may be created by issues: worn bearings, gas valve issues or ignition troubles. All these problems need pro help.
At GV Heating & Air, our specialists are here to help you enjoy quiet, energy-efficient comfort. If your furnace is louder than it usually is or producing strange sounds, contact us at 763-535-2000 to get an appointment today.