As your furnace switches on and gets ready to warm up your residence, it’s expected for it to make some noise. These sounds, such as the burners firing up and the blower operating, are all part of the normal start-up process.
But there are several approaches you can do to make your furnace quieter this winter.
1. Request Yearly Furnace Maintenance
Furnace maintenance is extremely important, since it keeps your manufacturer warranty in place. This helps shield you if something huge stops working in your furnace during your warranty period.
It can also help our professionals discover minor issues that might make your furnace loud. And potentially help you sidestep a breakdown on the most frigid day of the year. The Indoor Air Quality Association reports that routine maintenance can reduce your probability of furnace repairs by up to 95%.
If little furnace troubles go ignored, they may result in trouble down the road. By uncovering these issues sooner, our pros can get your furnace taken care of before heating season begins.
And most important, specialized cleaning and lubrication of your furnace’s moving parts can help make it more efficient. A correctly maintained furnace could save up to 30% on your gas expenses, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
2. Frequently Install a New Furnace’s Air Filter
Your air filter helps keep your home’s air fresh and clean. When it becomes too filthy, it can make your furnace turn on and off too frequently. Known as short cycling, this can cause your furnace to eat up additional fuel and make it wear out faster.
Our suggestions for changing your furnace filter:
- Flat filter: Every month
- Pleated filter: Every three months
You could have to change your filter more regularly if you have allergies or pets.
3. Call Fire & Ice HVAC When Your Furnace Is Making Strange Noises
Some furnaces, especially older ones, could be louder than others. But if you’re detecting extremely loud or weird noises, you should call a heating and cooling company like Fire & Ice HVAC for furnace repair in Manassas.
Here are several noises to be on the lookout for, how to fix them and when to contact 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 produce some moisture. If your furnace is experiencing difficulties discharging this water, it could make gurgling or bubbling sounds. You’ll require professional 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 positive thing when your furnace is making a banging sound. It may mean a few things.
Haven’t had maintenance done recently and your furnace is creating a banging sound when turning on? Its burners can be dirty. Dirty burners can hold up ignition, which leads gas to accumulate in your furnace.
All that built-up gas can create a banging or booming sound when your furnace eventually does ignite. But this is more than just an irritating noise, since the built-up gas is exploding within your furnace. This can damage your furnace’s heat exchanger and cause a life-threatening carbon monoxide leak.
If you’ve forgotten regular tune-ups for your furnace and you’re detecting this noise, give Fire & Ice HVAC a ring at 703-595-4157. Our heating pros will get your furnace tuned up and double-check it’s working correctly.
Your ductwork can also produce banging sounds when your furnace starts, as the metal is expanding and contracting.
We recommend first checking your furnace’s air filter and installing a new one if it’s filthy. Next, ensure you don’t have too many vents sealed in your home, as it can throw off air pressure.
If neither of these methods repair the sound, 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 symptom there’s electrical troubles. This is most often seen with a sputtering blower fan motor, which will produce an irritating buzzing noise when your furnace begins to heat. It may also mean there’s an issue 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 usually 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 cleaning.
These issues are typically uncovered during regular maintenance done by a certified HVAC professional. So, while we’re at your house performing repairs, don’t forget to ask us about scheduling your maintenance appointment for the future.
Furnace Making Clicking Noise
A clicking sound may be the result of troubles: worn bearings, gas valve troubles or ignition issues. All these troubles need pro assistance.
At Fire & Ice HVAC, our professionals are here to help you relax in peaceful, energy-efficient comfort. If your furnace is louder than normal or producing weird sounds, contact us at 703-595-4157 to schedule an appointment today.