As your furnace turns on and begins to add warmth to your home, it’s typical for it to produce some noise. These sounds, including the burners igniting and the blower running, are all part of the normal start-up steps.

But there are a few steps you can do to make your furnace quieter this winter.

1. Schedule Annual Furnace Maintenance

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

It can also help our pros spot minor issues that might make your furnace annoying. And possibly help you prevent a meltdown on the coldest day of the year. The Indoor Air Quality Association reports that routine maintenance can decrease your likelihood of furnace repairs by up to 95%.

If small furnace problems go ignored, they may result in trouble in the future. By unearthing these issues sooner, our professionals can get your furnace taken care of before heating season begins.

And most important, pro cleaning and lubrication of your furnace’s moving parts can help make it more efficient. A properly maintained furnace could save up to 30% on your energy costs, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

2. Frequently Replace Your Furnace’s Air Filter

Your air filter helps keep your house’s air fresh and clean. When it becomes too clogged, 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 break down faster.

Our advice for installing a new furnace filter:

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

You could have to change your filter more frequently if you have allergies or pets.

3. Get in Touch with Air-Right Energy Design When Your Furnace Is Making Odd Noises

Some furnaces, often older ones, might make more noise than others. But if you’re noticing extremely loud or odd noises, you should call a heating and cooling company like Air-Right Energy Design for furnace repair in Manassas.

Here are a few noises to be on the lookout for, how to repair them and when to call a pro.

Furnace Making Gurgling or Bubbling Noise

This noise happens more frequently with high-efficiency furnaces. That’s since they emit fumes dissimilarly than older furnaces, and the process can make some moisture. If your furnace is experiencing difficulties draining this water, it can make gurgling or bubbling sounds. You’ll need skilled support for this trouble, 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 could mean a couple of things.

Haven’t scheduled maintenance recently and your furnace is creating a banging sound when beginning? Its burners might be dirty. Dirty burners can delay ignition, which leads gas to accumulate inside your furnace.

All that built-up gas can cause a banging or booming sound when your furnace eventually does ignite. But this is more than merely an irritating noise, as 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 ignored regular tune-ups for your furnace and you’re noticing this noise, give Air-Right Energy Design a ring at 703-260-1148. Our heating specialists will get your furnace tuned up and make sure it’s operating correctly.

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

We recommend first looking at your furnace’s air filter and getting a new one if it’s dirty. Next, make sure you don’t have too many vents sealed in your home, as it can force air pressure out of balance.

If neither of these things repair the sound, your ductwork could be dirty or undersized, which will require assistance from a pro HVAC specialist.

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 dying blower fan motor, which will produce an annoying buzzing noise when your furnace starts. It can also mean there’s trouble with the capacitor or transformer. All three of these problems need help from an experienced heating and cooling company like Air-Right Energy Design.

Furnace Making Knocking Noise

If your furnace is making knocking sounds, it’s usually a symptom that an internal component is worn out. This can be anything from a bearing to a belt or the gas valve. It might also be a sign that your burners are dirty.

These problems are typically uncovered during annual maintenance performed by a certified HVAC pro. So, while we’re at your home performing repairs, don’t forget to ask us about scheduling your maintenance appointment for the future.

Furnace Making Clicking Noise

A clicking sound might be the result of things: worn bearings, gas valve troubles or ignition issues. All these problems need specialized assistance.

At Air-Right Energy Design, our experts are here to help you unwind in peaceful, energy-efficient comfort. If your furnace is louder than normal or producing weird sounds, contact us at 703-260-1148 to request an appointment today.