As your furnace switches on and begins to add warmth to your home, it’s common for it to create some noise. These sounds, such as the burners lighting and the blower running, are all part of the usual start-up steps.
But there are several things you can do to make your furnace quieter this winter.
1. Book Annual Furnace Maintenance
Furnace maintenance is extremely important, since it keeps your manufacturer warranty ongoing. This helps protect you if something major goes wrong with your furnace during your warranty time.
It can also help our professionals discover minor problems that might make your furnace loud. And possibly help you prevent a malfunction on the coldest day of the year. The Indoor Air Quality Association reports that regular maintenance can lower your chance of furnace malfunctions by up to 95%.
If small furnace problems go undetected, they might cause an issue later on. By uncovering these problems in advance, our pros can get your furnace repaired before heating season is at its peak.
And, most critical, specialized 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 utility bills, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
2. Frequently Change Your Furnace’s Air Filter
Your air filter helps keep your home’s air fresh and clean. When it gets too filthy, it can make your furnace turn on and off more than it should. Referred to as short cycling, this can cause your furnace to use extra gas and make it wear out faster.
Our advice for replacing your furnace filter:
- Flat filter: Every month
- Pleated filter: Every three months
You may have to change your filter more frequently if you have allergies or pets.
3. Get in Touch with Lakeside Heating & Air When Your Furnace is Making Odd Noises
Some furnaces, particularly older ones, may make more noise than others. But if you’re hearing exceedingly loud or odd noises, it may be time to call a heating and cooling company like Lakeside Heating & Air for furnace repair in Chelan and Wenatchee.
Here are several noises to keep an eye out for, how to repair them and when to contact a professional.
Furnace Making Gurgling or Bubbling Noise
This noise happens more frequently with high-efficiency furnaces. That’s due to the fact they discharge fumes in another way than older furnaces, and the process can make some moisture. If your furnace is running into issues discharging this water, it might make gurgling or bubbling sounds. You’ll require pro help for this issue, since it may be caused by a blocked drain pipe or clogged drain pan.
Furnace Making Banging Noise
It’s not a positive indicator when your furnace is making a banging sound. It could mean a few things.
Haven’t requested maintenance recently and your furnace is creating a banging sound when turning on? Its burners could be dirty. Dirty burners can delay ignition, which leads gas to accumulate within your furnace.
All that accumulated gas can create a banging or booming sound when your furnace eventually does ignite. But this is more than just a bothersome noise, as the increased gas is igniting inside your furnace. This can damage your furnace’s heat exchanger and cause a life-threatening carbon monoxide leak.
If you’ve overlooked regular tune-ups for your furnace and you’re noticing this noise, give Lakeside Heating & Air a ring at 509-284-4265. 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, since the metal is expanding and contracting.
We suggest first checking your furnace’s air filter and getting a new one if it’s clogged. Next, double-check you don’t have too many vents shut in your residence, as it can make air pressure uneven.
If neither of these methods take care of the problem, your ductwork might 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 sign there’s electrical troubles. This is most frequently seen with a dying blower fan motor, which will produce a loud buzzing noise when your furnace begins to heat. It may also mean there’s a problem with the capacitor or transformer. All three of these issues require support from an experienced heating and cooling company like Lakeside Heating & Air.
Furnace Making Knocking Noise
If your furnace is making knocking sounds, it’s often a symptom that an internal part is worn out. This could be anything from a bearing to a belt or the gas valve. It can also be a sign that your burners need to be cleaned.
These problems are usually uncovered during regular maintenance performed by a certified HVAC technician. So, while we’re at your residence doing repairs, don’t forget to ask us about booking your maintenance appointment for next year.
Furnace Making Clicking Noise
A clicking sound could be the result of issues: worn bearings, gas valve troubles or ignition troubles. All these issues call for professional support.
At Lakeside Heating & Air, our specialists are here to help you enjoy tranquil, energy-efficient comfort. If your furnace is louder than normal or producing weird sounds, contact us at 509-284-4265 to schedule an appointment now.