As your furnace turns on and prepares to heat your house, it’s common for it to make some noise. These sounds, such as the burners lighting and the blower running, are all part of the normal start-up steps.
But there are a few approaches you can do to make your furnace less noisy this winter.
1. Request Yearly Furnace Maintenance
Furnace maintenance is extremely important, because it keeps your manufacturer warranty in place. This helps defend you if something huge stops working in your furnace during your warranty time.
It can also help us uncover small issues that can make your furnace annoying. And possibly help you avoid a breakdown on the most frigid day of the year. The Indoor Air Quality Association reports that annual maintenance can reduce your chance of furnace repairs by up to 95%.
If minor furnace problems keep on being ignored, they can result in a malfunction down the road. By finding these issues in advance, our pros can get your furnace fixed before heating season is at its peak.
And, most essential, professional cleaning and lubrication of your furnace’s moving pieces can help make it more efficient. A correctly maintained furnace could save up to 30% on your heating bills, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
2. Routinely Change 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 too often. Referred to as short cycling, this can cause your furnace to consume extra gas and make it stop working more rapidly.
Our recommendations for installing a new furnace filter:
- Flat filter: Once a month
- Pleated filter: Every three months
You may have to install a new filter more frequently if you have allergies or pets.
3. Call Air-Right Energy Design, Inc. When Your Furnace is Creating Weird Noises
Some furnaces, particularly older ones, could be noisier than others. But if you’re detecting extremely loud or weird noises, you should call a heating and cooling company like Air-Right Energy Design, Inc. for furnace repair in Manassas.
Here are several 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 due to the fact they discharge fumes dissimilarly older furnaces, and the process can produce some moisture. If your furnace is running into difficulties draining this water, it can make gurgling or bubbling sounds. You’ll want pro assistance for this trouble, since it can 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 might mean a couple of things.
Haven’t requested maintenance this year and your furnace is producing a banging sound when beginning? Its burners may be dirty. Dirty burners can delay ignition, which causes gas to accumulate in your furnace.
All that accumulated gas can cause a banging or booming sound when your furnace finally does ignite. But this is more than only a bothersome noise, as the accumulated gas is erupting in your furnace. This can crack your furnace’s heat exchanger and cause a dangerous carbon monoxide leak.
If you’ve neglected annual tune-ups for your furnace and you’re noticing this noise, give Air-Right Energy Design, Inc. a shout at 703-260-1148. Our heating pros will get your furnace tuned up and ensure it’s running properly.
Your ductwork can also create banging sounds when your furnace starts, as the metal is expanding and contracting.
We recommend first looking at your furnace’s air filter and installing a new one if it’s filthy. Next, double-check you don’t have too many vents shut in your house, as it can force air pressure out of balance.
If neither of these steps fix the issue, your ductwork may 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 an electrical issue. This is most often seen with a sputtering blower fan motor, which will create an irritating buzzing noise when your furnace starts. It might also mean there’s an issue with the capacitor or transformer. All three of these troubles call for support from a professional heating and cooling company like Air-Right Energy Design, Inc..
Furnace Making Knocking Noise
If your furnace is making knocking sounds, it’s frequently a sign that an internal component is worn out. This may be anything from a bearing to a belt or the gas valve. It can also be a symptom that your burners need cleaning.
These issues are usually caught during regular maintenance performed by a certified HVAC professional. So, while we’re at your residence doing repairs, don’t forget to check with us about scheduling your maintenance appointment for the upcoming year.
Furnace Making Clicking Noise
A clicking sound can be the result of things: worn bearings, gas valve issues or ignition issues. All these issues require skilled help.
At Air-Right Energy Design, Inc., our experts are here to help you enjoy tranquil, energy-efficient comfort. If your furnace is louder than normal or creating weird sounds, contact us at 703-260-1148 to book an appointment today.