As your furnace turns on and gets ready to warm up your home, it’s expected for it to produce some noise. These sounds, like the burners lighting and the blower running, are all part of the typical start-up procedures.

But there are a few approaches you can do to make your furnace run more quietly this winter.

1. Book Yearly Furnace Maintenance

Furnace maintenance is extremely important, since it keeps your manufacturer warranty valid. This helps defend you if something huge stops working in your furnace during your warranty period.

It can also help us discover minor issues that could make your furnace annoying. And potentially help you avoid a meltdown on the coldest day of the year. The Indoor Air Quality Association reports that annual maintenance can lower your chance of furnace meltdowns by up to 95%.

If small furnace issues go ignored, they may result in trouble down the road. By finding these troubles sooner, our technicians can get your furnace taken care of before heating season begins.

And most critical, specialized 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 gas costs, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

2. Regularly Install a New 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 too often. Known as short cycling, this can cause your furnace to use additional fuel and make it break down faster.

Our suggestions for installing a new 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. Get in Touch with Childress Heating & AC When Your Furnace Is Creating Strange Noises

Some furnaces, often older ones, might be noisier than others. But if you’re noticing extremely loud or strange noises, it may be time to get in touch with a heating and cooling company like Childress Heating & AC for furnace repair in Fredericksburg.

Here are several noises to keep an eye out 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 due to the fact they exhaust fumes differently than older furnaces, and the process can make some moisture. If your furnace is experiencing difficulties draining this water, it could make gurgling or bubbling sounds. You’ll require experienced support for this issue, 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 can mean several things.

Haven’t scheduled maintenance recently and your furnace is producing a banging sound when starting? Its burners may be dirty. Dirty burners can delay ignition, which causes gas to accumulate within your furnace.

All that built-up gas can create a banging or booming racket when your furnace eventually does ignite. But this is more than only an irritating noise, since the built-up 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 maintenance for your furnace and you’re hearing this noise, give Childress Heating & AC a shout at 540-675-4306. Our heating professionals will get your furnace tuned up and ensure it’s operating correctly.

Your ductwork can also produce banging sounds when your furnace starts, because the metal is expanding and contracting.

We recommend first inspecting your furnace’s air filter and getting a new one if it’s clogged. Next, double-check you don’t have too many vents sealed in your residence, as it can throw off air pressure.

If neither of these things repair the sound, your ductwork may be dirty or undersized, which will be a need for assistance from a skilled HVAC specialist.

Furnace Making Humming or Buzzing Noise

If your furnace is buzzing or humming, it’s a sign there’s electrical troubles. This is most usually seen with a dying blower fan motor, which will create an irritating buzzing noise when your furnace starts. It can also mean there’s an issue with the capacitor or transformer. All three of these problems need assistance from a professional heating and cooling company like Childress Heating & AC.

Furnace Making Knocking Noise

If your furnace is making knocking sounds, it’s usually a symptom that an internal component is worn out. This could be anything from a bearing to a belt or the gas valve. It could also be a symptom that your burners are dirty.

These troubles are frequently uncovered during yearly maintenance done by a certified HVAC technician. So, while we’re at your home performing repairs, don’t forget to check with us about scheduling your maintenance appointment for next year.

Furnace Making Clicking Noise

A clicking sound may be the result of things: worn bearings, gas valve troubles or ignition problems. All these issues need professional help.

At Childress Heating & AC, our specialists are here to help you unwind in peaceful, energy-efficient comfort. If your furnace is louder than it typically is or producing weird sounds, contact us at 540-675-4306 to schedule an appointment now.