As your furnace starts up and begins to add warmth to your house, it’s expected for it to create some noise. These sounds, including the burners igniting and the blower running, are all part of the typical start-up process.
But there are a few steps you can do to make your furnace quieter this winter.
1. Book Regular Furnace Maintenance
Furnace maintenance is highly important, as it keeps your manufacturer warranty valid. This helps shield you if something major stops working in your furnace during your warranty range.
It can also help us spot little issues that can make your furnace noisy. And potentially help you sidestep 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 problems go ignored, they may result in trouble down the road. By unearthing these issues sooner, our technicians can get your furnace taken care of before heating season begins.
And most important, professional cleaning and lubrication of your furnace’s moving pieces can help make it more efficient. A correctly maintained furnace could save up to 30% on your gas expenses, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
2. Routinely Change Your Furnace’s Air Filter
Your air filter helps keep your house’s air fresh and clean. When it gets too filthy, it can make your furnace turn on and off too frequently. Referred to as short cycling, this can cause your furnace to consume additional energy and make it wear out faster.
Our recommendations for replacing your furnace filter:
- Flat filter: Monthly
- Pleated filter: Every three months
You might have to replace your filter more often if you have allergies or pets.
3. Contact Street Heating and Cooling When Your Furnace Is Producing Weird Noises
Some furnaces, especially older ones, may be louder than others. But if you’re noticing extremely loud or odd noises, you should contact a heating and cooling company like Street Heating and Cooling for furnace repair in Rapid City.
Here are a couple of noises to keep an eye out for, how to fix them and when to get in touch with a pro.
Furnace Making Gurgling or Bubbling Noise
This noise happens more frequently with high-efficiency furnaces. That’s since they discharge fumes dissimilarly than older furnaces, and the process can create some moisture. If your furnace is experiencing difficulties draining this water, it might make gurgling or bubbling sounds. You’ll need skilled} support for this trouble, since it may 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 several things.
Haven’t scheduled maintenance recently and your furnace is making a banging sound when starting? Its burners could be dirty. Dirty burners can delay ignition, which leads gas to accumulate inside your furnace.
All that accumulated gas can create a banging or booming sound when your furnace ultimately} does ignite. But this is more than just an irritating noise, because the accumulated gas is exploding within your furnace. This can crack your furnace’s heat exchanger and make a deadly carbon monoxide leak.
If you’ve overlooked regular service for your furnace and you’re noticing 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 working correctly.
Your ductwork can also create banging sounds when your furnace switches on, as the metal is expanding and contracting.
We advise first inspecting your furnace’s air filter and replacing it if it’s clogged. Next, ensure you don’t have too many vents shut in your home, as it can throw off air pressure.
If neither of these methods repair the problem, your ductwork could be dirty or undersized, which will be a need for assistance from a skilled HVAC technician.
Furnace Making Humming or Buzzing Noise
If your furnace is buzzing or humming, it’s a symptom there’s electrical troubles. This is most usually seen with a sputtering blower fan motor, which will produce an annoying buzzing noise when your furnace switches on. It may also mean there’s an issue with the capacitor or transformer. All three of these issues need assistance from an experienced heating and cooling company like Street Heating and Cooling.
Furnace Making Knocking Noise
If your furnace is making knocking sounds, it’s typically a symptom that an internal part is going out. This might be anything from a bearing to a belt or the gas valve. It can also be an indication that your burners need cleaning.
These issues are typically uncovered during annual maintenance performed by a certified HVAC professional. So, while we’re at your residence performing repairs, don’t forget to check with us about scheduling your maintenance appointment for next year.
Furnace Making Clicking Noise
A clicking sound might be the result of issues: worn bearings, gas valve problems or ignition troubles. All these troubles need professional assistance.
At Street Heating and Cooling, our experts are here to help you relax 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 request an appointment now.