As your furnace turns on and begins to add warmth to your residence, it’s common for it to produce some noise. These sounds, including the burners lighting and the blower operating, are all part of the usual start-up process.
But there are a few approaches you can do to make your furnace quieter this winter.
1. Request Regular Furnace Maintenance
Furnace maintenance is very important, since it keeps your manufacturer warranty ongoing. This helps protect you if something major stops working in your furnace during your warranty range.
It can also help our pros spot minor issues that might make your furnace annoying. And possibly help you avoid a breakdown on the coldest day of the year. The Indoor Air Quality Association reports that routine maintenance can reduce your likelihood of furnace malfunctions by up to 95%.
If minor furnace troubles go unnoticed, they may result in trouble later on. By unearthing these issues sooner, our techs can get your furnace fixed before heating season is in full swing.
And most essential, specialized 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 gas costs, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
2. Frequently Change Your Furnace’s Air Filter
Your air filter helps keep your house’s air fresh and clean. When it gets too dirty, it can make your furnace turn on and off too often. Referred to as short cycling, this can cause your furnace to consume additional gas and make it break down faster.
Our suggestions for installing a new furnace filter:
- Flat filter: Monthly
- Pleated filter: Every three months
You may have to replace your filter more regularly if you have allergies or pets.
3. Call Childress Heating & AC When Your Furnace Is Creating Strange Noises
Some furnaces, especially older ones, may be louder than others. But if you’re hearing very loud or odd noises, you should contact a heating and cooling company like Childress Heating & AC for furnace repair in Fredericksburg.
Here are several noises to be looking for, how to solve them and when to call a professional.
Furnace Making Gurgling or Bubbling Noise
This noise occurs more commonly with high-efficiency furnaces. That’s because they exhaust fumes differently than older furnaces, and the process can produce some moisture. If your furnace is running into difficulties draining this water, it can make gurgling or bubbling sounds. You’ll need 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 good thing when your furnace is making a banging sound. It may mean a couple of things.
Haven’t scheduled maintenance recently and your furnace is producing a banging sound when beginning? Its burners could be dirty. Dirty burners can stall ignition, which leads gas to accumulate within your furnace.
All that increased gas can cause a banging or booming sound when your furnace finally} does ignite. But this is more than just an irritating noise, as the accumulated gas is erupting within your furnace. This can crack your furnace’s heat exchanger and create a dangerous carbon monoxide leak.
If you’ve ignored regular service for your furnace and you’re detecting this noise, give Childress Heating & AC a call at 540-675-4306. Our heating specialists 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 checking your furnace’s air filter and getting a new one if it’s dirty. Next, make sure you don’t have too many vents closed in your house, as it can throw off air pressure.
If neither of these steps repair the sound, your ductwork might be dirty or undersized, which will require assistance from a pro HVAC technician.
Furnace Making Humming or Buzzing Noise
If your furnace is buzzing or humming, it’s a sign there’s an electrical problem. This is most often seen with a dying blower fan motor, which will create an irritating buzzing noise when your furnace begins to heat. It may also mean there’s a problem with the capacitor or transformer. All three of these issues need help from a skilled heating and cooling company like Childress Heating & AC.
Furnace Making Knocking Noise
If your furnace is making knocking sounds, it’s typically a symptom that an internal piece is dying. This may be anything from a bearing to a belt or the gas valve. It could also be a sign that your burners need cleaning.
These troubles are frequently uncovered during regular maintenance provided by a certified HVAC technician. So, while we’re at your home performing repairs, don’t forget to inquire about requesting your maintenance appointment for the upcoming year.
Furnace Making Clicking Noise
A clicking sound might be the result of issues: worn bearings, gas valve problems or ignition issues. All these troubles need pro support.
At Childress Heating & AC, our professionals are here to help you unwind in peaceful, energy-efficient comfort. If your furnace is louder than it usually is or producing weird sounds, contact us at 540-675-4306 to request an appointment right away.