As your furnace turns on and gets ready to heat your house, it’s expected for it to create some noise. These sounds, such as the burners firing up and the blower whirring, are all part of the typical start-up procedures.
But there are a few things you can do to make your furnace less noisy this winter.
1. Book Yearly 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 period.
It can also help our pros uncover little issues that could make your furnace noisy. And potentially help you sidestep a malfunction on the most frigid day of the year. The Indoor Air Quality Association reports that regular maintenance can lower your probability of furnace meltdowns by up to 95%.
If small furnace troubles go unnoticed, they may cause trouble in the future. By finding these issues sooner, our pros can get your furnace taken care of before heating season is at its peak.
And most important, pro 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 gas expenses, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
2. Frequently Put in a New Furnace’s Air Filter
Your air filter helps keep your house’s air fresh and clean. When it gets too clogged, it can make your furnace turn on and off too often. Called short cycling, this can cause your furnace to use additional fuel and make it stop working faster.
Our advice for installing a new furnace filter:
- Flat filter: Once a month
- Pleated filter: Every three months
You might have to install a new filter more frequently if you have allergies or pets.
3. Call Patterson & Stirling When Your Furnace Is Creating Weird Noises
Some furnaces, often older ones, can be noisier than others. But if you’re hearing extremely loud or strange noises, it may be time to get in touch with a heating and cooling company like Patterson & Stirling for furnace repair in Erie.
Here are several noises to be looking for, how to repair them and when to get in touch with a professional.
Furnace Making Gurgling or Bubbling Noise
This noise happens more frequently with high-efficiency furnaces. That’s because they exhaust fumes in another way than older furnaces, and the process can produce some moisture. If your furnace is running into difficulties discharging this water, it could make gurgling or bubbling sounds. You’ll need experienced support for this problem, since it could be created by a blocked drain pipe or clogged drain pan.
Furnace Making Banging Noise
It’s not a good 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 may be dirty. Dirty burners can delay ignition, which results in gas accumulating in your furnace.
All that built-up gas can cause a banging or booming noise when your furnace eventually does ignite. But this is more than only an irritating noise, since the built-up gas is erupting within your furnace. This can damage your furnace’s heat exchanger and create a deadly carbon monoxide leak.
If you’ve forgotten regular maintenance for your furnace and you’re noticing this noise, give Patterson & Stirling a call at 814-308-0416. Our heating specialists will get your furnace tuned up and double-check it’s working correctly.
Your ductwork can also make banging sounds when your furnace starts, since the metal is expanding and contracting.
We suggest first inspecting 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 make air pressure uneven.
If neither of these things repair the problem, your ductwork might be dirty or undersized, which will call for assistance from a professional HVAC specialist.
Furnace Making Humming or Buzzing Noise
If your furnace is buzzing or humming, it’s a symptom there’s an electrical problem. This is most often seen with a sputtering blower fan motor, which will create an irritating buzzing noise when your furnace switches on. It can also mean there’s an issue with the capacitor or transformer. All three of these troubles need support from a professional heating and cooling company like Patterson & Stirling.
Furnace Making Knocking Noise
If your furnace is making knocking sounds, it’s often a symptom that an internal piece is worn out. This may be anything from a bearing to a belt or the gas valve. It could also be a symptom that your burners are dirty.
These troubles are typically uncovered during yearly maintenance provided by a certified HVAC pro. So, while we’re at your home doing repairs, don’t forget to inquire about scheduling your maintenance appointment for the upcoming year.
Furnace Making Clicking Noise
A clicking sound could be the result of problems: worn bearings, gas valve problems or ignition issues. All these issues need skilled support.
At Patterson & Stirling, our specialists 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 814-308-0416 to get an appointment right away.
