As your furnace turns on and begins to heat your house, it’s normal for it to create some noise. These sounds, such as the burners firing up and the blower operating, are all part of the typical start-up process.
But there are several steps you can do to make your furnace quieter this winter.
1. Schedule Annual Furnace Maintenance
Furnace maintenance is extremely important, since it keeps your manufacturer warranty ongoing. This helps shield you if something major stops working in your furnace during your warranty period.
It can also help our pros find small issues that might make your furnace loud. And potentially help you prevent a malfunction on the most frigid day of the year. The Indoor Air Quality Association reports that annual maintenance can reduce your probability of furnace repairs by up to 95%.
If minor furnace issues go undetected, they may cause trouble later on. By finding these troubles sooner, our professionals 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 parts can help make it more efficient. A properly maintained furnace could save up to 30% on your energy bills, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
2. Regularly Put in a New Furnace’s Air Filter
Your air filter helps keep your residence’s air fresh and clean. When it turns too clogged, it can make your furnace turn on and off too often. Referred to as short cycling, this can cause your furnace to use additional fuel and make it stop working faster.
Our advice for replacing your furnace filter:
- Flat filter: Every month
- Pleated filter: Every three months
You could have to get a new filter more often if you have allergies or pets.
3. Get in Touch with Miller Climate Control LLC When Your Furnace Is Creating Odd Noises
Some furnaces, especially older ones, could be noisier than others. But if you’re hearing very loud or strange noises, you should get in touch with a heating and cooling company like Miller Climate Control LLC for furnace repair in Georgetown.
Here are a couple of noises to be on the lookout for, how to take care of them and when to get in touch with a pro.
Furnace Making Gurgling or Bubbling Noise
This noise occurs more commonly with high-efficiency furnaces. That’s because they emit fumes in another way 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 need skilled support for this trouble, since it might be created by a blocked drain pipe or clogged drain pan.
Furnace Making Banging Noise
It’s not a great thing when your furnace is making a banging sound. It might mean a couple of things.
Haven’t requested maintenance recently and your furnace is making a banging sound when starting? Its burners could be dirty. Dirty burners can stall ignition, which causes gas to accumulate inside your furnace.
All that accumulated gas can cause a banging or booming sound when your furnace eventually does ignite. But this is more than just an irritating noise, since the increased gas is erupting within your furnace. This can damage your furnace’s heat exchanger and create a deadly carbon monoxide leak.
If you’ve ignored regular maintenance for your furnace and you’re detecting this noise, give Miller Climate Control LLC a ring at 512-937-2001. Our heating pros will get your furnace tuned up and ensure it’s working correctly.
Your ductwork can also make banging sounds when your furnace turns on, because the metal is expanding and contracting.
We suggest first inspecting your furnace’s air filter and installing a new one if it’s clogged. 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 things repair the issue, your ductwork could be dirty or undersized, which will be a need for assistance from a professional HVAC technician.
Furnace Making Humming or Buzzing Noise
If your furnace is buzzing or humming, it’s a flag there’s electrical troubles. This is most often seen with a dying blower fan motor, which will create an irritating buzzing noise when your furnace turns on. It might 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 Miller Climate Control LLC.
Furnace Making Knocking Noise
If your furnace is making knocking sounds, it’s often a symptom that an internal piece is breaking down. This may be anything from a bearing to a belt or the gas valve. It can also be a symptom that your burners are dirty.
These problems are often uncovered during annual maintenance done by a certified HVAC technician. So, while we’re at your house working on repairs, don’t forget to ask us about scheduling your maintenance appointment for next year.
Furnace Making Clicking Noise
A clicking sound could be the result of problems: worn bearings, gas valve problems or ignition problems. All these problems need skilled support.
At Miller Climate Control LLC, our pros are here to help you unwind in peaceful, energy-efficient comfort. If your furnace is louder than normal or producing weird sounds, contact us at 512-937-2001 to book an appointment right away.