As your furnace switches on and gets ready to add warmth to your house, it’s normal for it to make some noise. These sounds, like the burners lighting and the blower operating, are all part of the normal start-up process.
But there are several approaches you can do to make your furnace less noisy this winter.
1. Request Yearly Furnace Maintenance
Furnace maintenance is extremely important, because it keeps your manufacturer warranty in place. This helps shield 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 loud. And possibly help you avoid a malfunction on the most frigid day of the year. The Indoor Air Quality Association reports that annual maintenance can lower your probability of furnace malfunctions by up to 95%.
If minor furnace issues go ignored, they may result in trouble down the road. By unearthing these issues sooner, our technicians can get your furnace fixed before heating season is in full swing.
And most important, professional cleaning and lubrication of your furnace’s moving components can help make it more efficient. A well-maintained furnace could save up to 30% on your utility costs, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
2. Regularly Replace Your Furnace’s Air Filter
Your air filter helps keep your home’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 use additional energy and make it break down faster.
Our advice for installing a new furnace filter:
- Flat filter: Monthly
- Pleated filter: Every three months
You could have to get a new filter more frequently if you have allergies or pets.
3. Call B & B Heating & Cooling When Your Furnace Is Producing Strange Noises
Some furnaces, especially older ones, might make more noise than others. But if you’re detecting exceedingly loud or odd noises, it may be time to contact a heating and cooling company like B & B Heating & Cooling for furnace repair in Florissant and St. Charles.
Here are a few noises to be on the lookout for, how to take care of them and when to contact a professional.
Furnace Making Gurgling or Bubbling Noise
This noise is more common 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 experiencing difficulties removing this water, it could make gurgling or bubbling sounds. You’ll want experienced 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 positive thing when your furnace is making a banging sound. It could mean a few things.
Haven’t scheduled maintenance recently and your furnace is creating a banging sound when starting? Its burners may be dirty. Dirty burners can stall ignition, which leads gas to accumulate inside your furnace.
All that built-up gas can make a banging or booming sound when your furnace ultimately does ignite. But this is more than only an irritating noise, because the increased gas is erupting within your furnace. This can break your furnace’s heat exchanger and create a deadly carbon monoxide leak.
If you’ve neglected regular tune-ups for your furnace and you’re hearing this noise, give B & B Heating & Cooling a ring at 314-325-7552. Our heating pros will get your furnace tuned up and ensure it’s working correctly.
Your ductwork can also create banging sounds when your furnace starts, because the metal is expanding and contracting.
We suggest first checking your furnace’s air filter and getting a new one if it’s filthy. Next, double-check you don’t have too many vents closed in your home, as it can make air pressure uneven.
If neither of these things repair the sound, your ductwork might be dirty or undersized, which will call for assistance from a pro HVAC tech.
Furnace Making Humming or Buzzing Noise
If your furnace is buzzing or humming, it’s a sign there’s electrical troubles. This is most often seen with a dying blower fan motor, which will produce an annoying 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 an experienced heating and cooling company like B & B Heating & Cooling.
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 might also be an indication that your burners need cleaning.
These problems are frequently uncovered during annual maintenance provided by a certified HVAC technician. So, while we’re at your house doing repairs, don’t forget to inquire about booking your maintenance appointment for the future.
Furnace Making Clicking Noise
A clicking sound may be the result of troubles: worn bearings, gas valve troubles or ignition problems. All these problems need pro assistance.
At B & B Heating & Cooling, our professionals are here to help you enjoy peaceful, energy-efficient comfort. If your furnace is louder than it usually is or producing odd sounds, contact us at 314-325-7552 to book an appointment now.