As your furnace turns on and prepares to warm up your home, it’s common for it to make some noise. These sounds, like the burners lighting and the blower whirring, are all part of the normal start-up process.
But there are a couple of approaches you can do to make your furnace less noisy this winter.
1. Book Regular Furnace Maintenance
Furnace maintenance is highly important, as 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 spot small issues that can make your furnace noisy. And maybe help you prevent a meltdown on the most frigid day of the year. The Indoor Air Quality Association reports that regular maintenance can lower your chance of furnace repairs by up to 95%.
If minor furnace issues go ignored, they may result in trouble down the road. By uncovering these issues sooner, our pros can get your furnace fixed before heating season is at its peak.
And most critical, pro cleaning and lubrication of your furnace’s moving components 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. Frequently Replace Your 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 frequently. Called short cycling, this can cause your furnace to eat up additional gas and make it break down faster.
Our recommendations for changing your furnace filter:
- Flat filter: Once a month
- Pleated filter: Every three months
You could have to install a new filter more frequently if you have allergies or pets.
3. Call Fire & Ice HVAC When Your Furnace Is Making Weird Noises
Some furnaces, particularly older ones, may be louder than others. But if you’re noticing extremely loud or weird noises, you should call a heating and cooling company like Fire & Ice HVAC for furnace repair in Manassas.
Here are several noises to keep an eye out for, how to repair them and when to get in touch with a professional.
Furnace Making Gurgling or Bubbling Noise
This noise is more common with high-efficiency furnaces. That’s due to the fact they emit fumes dissimilarly than older furnaces, and the process can make some moisture. If your furnace is having difficulties discharging this water, it may make gurgling or bubbling sounds. You’ll want professional support for this problem, since it may 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 can mean several things.
Haven’t scheduled maintenance recently and your furnace is producing a banging sound when beginning? Its burners may be dirty. Dirty burners can hold up ignition, which results in gas accumulating inside your furnace.
All that increased gas can make a banging or booming racket when your furnace finally does ignite. But this is more than merely an irritating noise, as the accumulated gas is exploding within your furnace. This can crack your furnace’s heat exchanger and create a deadly carbon monoxide leak.
If you’ve overlooked regular tune-ups for your furnace and you’re hearing this noise, give Fire & Ice HVAC a shout at 703-595-4157. Our heating professionals will get your furnace tuned up and ensure it’s operating correctly.
Your ductwork can also make banging sounds when your furnace starts, as the metal is expanding and contracting.
We advise first checking your furnace’s air filter and replacing it if it’s dirty. Next, double-check you don’t have too many vents sealed in your house, as it can force air pressure out of balance.
If neither of these things repair the problem, your ductwork might be dirty or undersized, which will be a need for assistance from a professional HVAC tech.
Furnace Making Humming or Buzzing Noise
If your furnace is buzzing or humming, it’s a sign there’s an electrical issue. This is most frequently seen with a faltering blower fan motor, which will make an annoying buzzing noise when your furnace switches on. It could also mean there’s trouble with the capacitor or transformer. All three of these issues need assistance from a professional heating and cooling company like Fire & Ice HVAC.
Furnace Making Knocking Noise
If your furnace is making knocking sounds, it’s typically a symptom that an internal component is going out. This can be anything from a bearing to a belt or the gas valve. It might also be a sign that your burners are dirty.
These issues are usually uncovered during regular maintenance done by a certified HVAC professional. So, while we’re at your home doing repairs, don’t forget to check with us about requesting your maintenance appointment for next year.
Furnace Making Clicking Noise
A clicking sound might be the result of problems: worn bearings, gas valve troubles or ignition problems. All these issues need pro assistance.
At Fire & Ice HVAC, our specialists are here to help you unwind in peaceful, energy-efficient comfort. If your furnace is louder than normal or producing strange sounds, contact us at 703-595-4157 to get an appointment today.