As your furnace turns on and begins to warm up your home, it’s normal for it to produce some noise. These sounds, such as the burners igniting and the blower whirring, 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 Annual Furnace Maintenance
Furnace maintenance is highly important, because it keeps your manufacturer warranty valid. This helps defend you if something big stops working in your furnace during your warranty time.
It can also help our professionals spot little issues that can make your furnace noisy. And possibly help you sidestep a breakdown on the most frigid day of the year. The Indoor Air Quality Association reports that regular maintenance can decrease your chance of furnace breakdowns by up to 95%.
If minor furnace problems go undetected, they may result in trouble later on. By uncovering these issues sooner, our pros can get your furnace fixed before heating season is in full swing.
And most essential, pro cleaning and lubrication of your furnace’s moving pieces can help make it more efficient. A well-maintained furnace could save up to 30% on your heating bills, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
2. Frequently Replace Your Furnace’s Air Filter
Your air filter helps keep your house’s air fresh and clean. When it becomes too clogged, it can make your furnace turn on and off too frequently. Referred to as short cycling, this can cause your furnace to consume additional fuel and make it break down faster.
Our suggestions for installing a new furnace filter:
- Flat filter: Once a month
- Pleated filter: Every three months
You might have to change your filter more often if you have allergies or pets.
3. Contact Street Heating and Cooling When Your Furnace Is Making Odd Noises
Some furnaces, often older ones, can make more noise than others. But if you’re detecting very loud or strange noises, it may be time to get in touch with a heating and cooling company like Street Heating and Cooling for furnace repair in Rapid City.
Here are several noises to be on the lookout for, how to solve them and when to get in touch with a professional.
Furnace Making Gurgling or Bubbling Noise
This noise occurs more commonly with high-efficiency furnaces. That’s since 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 require professional} support for this trouble, since it could 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 might mean several things.
Haven’t had maintenance done recently and your furnace is making a banging sound when beginning? Its burners might be dirty. Dirty burners can stall ignition, which causes gas to accumulate 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, since the accumulated gas is igniting within your furnace. This can break 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 Street Heating and Cooling a call at 605-206-3915. Our heating specialists will get your furnace tuned up and make sure it’s running correctly.
Your ductwork can also produce banging sounds when your furnace turns on, because the metal is expanding and contracting.
We recommend first looking at your furnace’s air filter and replacing it if it’s clogged. Next, double-check you don’t have too many vents sealed in your home, as it can force air pressure out of balance.
If neither of these methods repair the problem, your ductwork could be dirty or undersized, which will call for assistance from a professional 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 frequently seen with a faltering blower fan motor, which will create a loud buzzing noise when your furnace switches on. It can also mean there’s an issue with the capacitor or transformer. All three of these issues need help from a professional heating and cooling company like Street Heating and Cooling.
Furnace Making Knocking Noise
If your furnace is making knocking sounds, it’s usually a symptom that an internal component is dying. This can be anything from a bearing to a belt or the gas valve. It can also be a symptom that your burners need to be cleaned.
These issues are often uncovered during yearly maintenance provided by a certified HVAC technician. So, while we’re at your house performing repairs, don’t forget to ask us about requesting your maintenance appointment for the upcoming year.
Furnace Making Clicking Noise
A clicking sound can be the result of problems: worn bearings, gas valve issues or ignition issues. All these problems need professional assistance.
At Street Heating and Cooling, our professionals 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 605-206-3915 to book an appointment today.