As your furnace turns on and gets ready to heat your home, it’s common for it to make some noise. These sounds, including the burners lighting and the blower whirring, are all part of the normal start-up steps.
But there are a couple of steps you can do to make your furnace run more quietly this winter.
1. Book Yearly Furnace Maintenance
Furnace maintenance is very important, since 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 find minor issues that could make your furnace loud. And maybe help you sidestep a meltdown on the most frigid day of the year. The Indoor Air Quality Association reports that regular maintenance can lower your probability of furnace malfunctions by up to 95%.
If little furnace problems go unnoticed, they may result in trouble down the road. By discovering these problems sooner, our professionals can get your furnace taken care of before heating season is in full swing.
And most important, professional 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 energy costs, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
2. Regularly Put in a New 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. Known as short cycling, this can cause your furnace to consume additional energy and make it wear out faster.
Our suggestions for replacing your furnace filter:
- Flat filter: Monthly
- Pleated filter: Every three months
You may have to get a new filter more frequently if you have allergies or pets.
3. Call Fire & Ice HVAC When Your Furnace Is Making Odd 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 contact a heating and cooling company like Fire & Ice HVAC for furnace repair in Woodbridge.
Here are a few noises to be looking for, how to repair them and when to get in touch with a pro.
Furnace Making Gurgling or Bubbling Noise
This noise occurs more commonly with high-efficiency furnaces. That’s due to the fact they exhaust fumes dissimilarly than older furnaces, and the process can create some moisture. If your furnace is having difficulties draining this water, it might make gurgling or bubbling sounds. You’ll need experienced} support for this problem, since it may be created by a blocked drain pipe or clogged drain pan.
Furnace Making Banging Noise
It’s not a positive thing when your furnace is making a banging sound. It might mean a couple of things.
Haven’t had maintenance done recently and your furnace is producing a banging sound when starting? Its burners might be dirty. Dirty burners can delay ignition, which causes gas to accumulate within your furnace.
All that increased gas can cause a banging or booming racket when your furnace finally} does ignite. But this is more than just an irritating noise, because the increased gas is erupting within your furnace. This can damage your furnace’s heat exchanger and create a life-threatening carbon monoxide leak.
If you’ve neglected regular maintenance for your furnace and you’re noticing this noise, give Fire & Ice HVAC a call at 703-595-4157. Our heating professionals will get your furnace tuned up and double-check it’s operating correctly.
Your ductwork can also make banging sounds when your furnace starts, because the metal is expanding and contracting.
We advise first checking your furnace’s air filter and replacing it if it’s dirty. Next, make sure you don’t have too many vents closed in your residence, as it can throw off air pressure.
If neither of these steps repair the sound, your ductwork could be dirty or undersized, which will require assistance from a pro HVAC tech.
Furnace Making Humming or Buzzing Noise
If your furnace is buzzing or humming, it’s a sign there’s an electrical issue. This is most usually seen with a sputtering blower fan motor, which will produce a loud buzzing noise when your furnace starts. It could also mean there’s a problem with the capacitor or transformer. All three of these problems need assistance from a professional heating and cooling company like Fire & Ice HVAC.
Furnace Making Knocking Noise
If your furnace is making knocking sounds, it’s often a symptom that an internal component is breaking down. This may be anything from a bearing to a belt or the gas valve. It might also be a sign that your burners need cleaning.
These troubles are typically uncovered during regular maintenance performed by a certified HVAC tech. So, while we’re at your house performing repairs, don’t forget to check with us about requesting your maintenance appointment for the upcoming year.
Furnace Making Clicking Noise
A clicking sound might be the result of troubles: worn bearings, gas valve troubles or ignition problems. All these issues need pro support.
At Fire & Ice HVAC, our pros are here to help you relax in peaceful, energy-efficient comfort. If your furnace is louder than normal or producing strange sounds, contact us at 703-595-4157 to schedule an appointment today.