As your furnace starts up and begins to add warmth to your residence, it’s common for it to make some noise. These sounds, like the burners firing up and the blower running, are all part of the typical start-up procedures.

But there are a couple of approaches you can do to make your furnace less noisy this winter.

1. Schedule Annual Furnace Maintenance

Furnace maintenance is extremely important, as it keeps your manufacturer warranty valid. This helps protect you if something major stops working in your furnace during your warranty range.

It can also help us spot minor issues that might make your furnace loud. And maybe help you avoid a breakdown on the chilliest day of the year. The Indoor Air Quality Association reports that routine maintenance can decrease your chance of furnace malfunctions by up to 95%.

If little furnace troubles go undetected, they may result in trouble later on. By finding these issues sooner, our technicians can get your furnace repaired before heating season is in full swing.

And most important, pro 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 utility costs, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

2. Frequently Put in a New Furnace’s Air Filter

Your air filter helps keep your residence’s air fresh and clean. When it becomes too filthy, it can make your furnace turn on and off too often. Known as short cycling, this can cause your furnace to eat up additional gas and make it wear out faster.

Our suggestions for installing a new furnace filter:

  • Flat filter: Monthly
  • Pleated filter: Every three months

You may have to get a new filter more regularly if you have allergies or pets.

3. Contact Patterson & Stirling When Your Furnace Is Producing Odd Noises

Some furnaces, often older ones, may be louder than others. But if you’re detecting extremely loud or odd noises, you should call a heating and cooling company like Patterson & Stirling for furnace repair in Erie.

Here are several noises to be on the lookout for, how to repair 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 because they discharge fumes dissimilarly than older furnaces, and the process can create some moisture. If your furnace is running into difficulties draining this water, it can make gurgling or bubbling sounds. You’ll want pro} support for this problem, since it might 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 a few things.

Haven’t requested maintenance recently and your furnace is producing a banging sound when turning on? Its burners can be dirty. Dirty burners can delay ignition, which results in gas accumulating in your furnace.

All that increased gas can cause a banging or booming sound when your furnace finally} does ignite. But this is more than merely an irritating noise, since the built-up gas is erupting within your furnace. This can crack your furnace’s heat exchanger and cause a deadly carbon monoxide leak.

If you’ve forgotten regular service for your furnace and you’re hearing this noise, give Patterson & Stirling a shout at 814-308-0416. Our heating professionals will get your furnace tuned up and make sure it’s operating correctly.

Your ductwork can also make banging sounds when your furnace turns on, as the metal is expanding and contracting.

We recommend first inspecting your furnace’s air filter and getting a new one if it’s clogged. Next, ensure you don’t have too many vents shut in your residence, as it can throw off air pressure.

If neither of these steps 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 flag there’s electrical troubles. This is most usually seen with a sputtering blower fan motor, which will create a loud buzzing noise when your furnace switches on. It could also mean there’s an issue with the capacitor or transformer. All three of these troubles need support from an experienced heating and cooling company like Patterson & Stirling.

Furnace Making Knocking Noise

If your furnace is making knocking sounds, it’s usually a symptom that an internal component is breaking down. This may be anything from a bearing to a belt or the gas valve. It may also be an indication that your burners need cleaning.

These problems are often uncovered during yearly maintenance performed by a certified HVAC professional. So, while we’re at your home doing repairs, don’t forget to check with us about scheduling your maintenance appointment for the upcoming year.

Furnace Making Clicking Noise

A clicking sound could be the result of troubles: worn bearings, gas valve problems or ignition issues. All these problems need pro help.

At Patterson & Stirling, our professionals are here to help you enjoy peaceful, energy-efficient comfort. If your furnace is louder than it usually is or producing weird sounds, contact us at 814-308-0416 to schedule an appointment now.