As your furnace switches on and gets ready to heat your residence, it’s expected for it to produce some noise. These sounds, including the burners lighting and the blower whirring, are all part of the normal start-up procedures.

But there are a few things you can do to make your furnace run more quietly this winter.

1. Book Yearly Furnace Maintenance

Furnace maintenance is extremely important, because it keeps your manufacturer warranty ongoing. This helps shield you if something major stops working in your furnace during your warranty period.

It can also help us find small issues that might make your furnace noisy. And potentially help you sidestep a malfunction on the chilliest day of the year. The Indoor Air Quality Association reports that annual maintenance can lower your probability of furnace meltdowns by up to 95%.

If small furnace issues go ignored, they may result in trouble in the future. By discovering these troubles sooner, our techs can get your furnace repaired before heating season is at its peak.

And most essential, professional 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 heating bills, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

2. Frequently Replace Your Furnace’s Air Filter

Your air filter helps keep your residence’s air fresh and clean. When it turns too dirty, it can make your furnace turn on and off more than it should. Referred to as short cycling, this can cause your furnace to consume additional fuel and make it break down faster.

Our advice for changing your furnace filter:

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

You might have to install a new filter more often if you have allergies or pets.

3. Get in Touch with Lakeside Heating & Air When Your Furnace Is Creating Strange Noises

Some furnaces, especially older ones, might be noisier than others. But if you’re hearing extremely loud or odd noises, you should call a heating and cooling company like Lakeside Heating & Air for furnace repair in Chelan and Wenatchee.

Here are a few noises to be looking for, how to take care of them and when to call a professional.

Furnace Making Gurgling or Bubbling Noise

This noise occurs more commonly with high-efficiency furnaces. That’s since they exhaust fumes in another way than older furnaces, and the process can produce some moisture. If your furnace is experiencing difficulties discharging this water, it can make gurgling or bubbling sounds. You’ll want skilled support for this issue, 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 could mean several things.

Haven’t had maintenance done recently and your furnace is creating a banging sound when beginning? Its burners can be dirty. Dirty burners can delay ignition, which results in gas accumulating within your furnace.

All that increased gas can create a banging or booming racket when your furnace ultimately does ignite. But this is more than just an irritating noise, since the accumulated gas is igniting within your furnace. This can damage your furnace’s heat exchanger and create a dangerous carbon monoxide leak.

If you’ve overlooked regular service for your furnace and you’re detecting this noise, give Lakeside Heating & Air a shout at 509-284-4265. Our heating pros will get your furnace tuned up and double-check it’s operating correctly.

Your ductwork can also create banging sounds when your furnace switches on, since the metal is expanding and contracting.

We recommend first checking your furnace’s air filter and replacing it if it’s clogged. Next, double-check you don’t have too many vents closed in your home, as it can make air pressure uneven.

If neither of these things 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 flag there’s an electrical problem. This is most frequently seen with a sputtering blower fan motor, which will create an annoying buzzing noise when your furnace switches on. It can also mean there’s a problem with the capacitor or transformer. All three of these troubles need help from a skilled heating and cooling company like Lakeside Heating & Air.

Furnace Making Knocking Noise

If your furnace is making knocking sounds, it’s frequently a symptom that an internal piece is worn out. This could be anything from a bearing to a belt or the gas valve. It might also be an indication that your burners need to be cleaned.

These issues are frequently uncovered during yearly maintenance performed by a certified HVAC pro. So, while we’re at your home doing repairs, don’t forget to check with us about scheduling your maintenance appointment for the future.

Furnace Making Clicking Noise

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

At Lakeside Heating & Air, our pros are here to help you enjoy peaceful, energy-efficient comfort. If your furnace is louder than normal or producing odd sounds, contact us at 509-284-4265 to get an appointment today.