As your furnace switches on and begins to warm up your home, it’s expected for it to create some noise. These sounds, like the burners igniting and the blower operating, are all part of the normal start-up procedures.
But there are several steps you can do to make your furnace quieter this winter.
1. Request Annual Furnace Maintenance
Furnace maintenance is extremely important, since it keeps your manufacturer warranty ongoing. This helps protect you if something major stops working in your furnace during your warranty period.
It can also help our pros find small issues that can make your furnace annoying. And potentially help you sidestep a breakdown on the chilliest day of the year. The Indoor Air Quality Association reports that regular maintenance can lower your chance of furnace repairs by up to 95%.
If little furnace issues go ignored, they may cause trouble later on. By unearthing these issues sooner, our pros can get your furnace taken care of before heating season is in full swing.
And most important, specialized cleaning and lubrication of your furnace’s moving components can help make it more efficient. A properly maintained furnace could save up to 30% on your heating expenses, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
2. Routinely Change Your Furnace’s Air Filter
Your air filter helps keep your residence’s air fresh and clean. When it becomes too filthy, it can make your furnace turn on and off too often. Called short cycling, this can cause your furnace to use additional energy and make it wear out faster.
Our recommendations for installing a new furnace filter:
- Flat filter: Monthly
- Pleated filter: Every three months
You may have to replace your filter more frequently if you have allergies or pets.
3. Call Air-Right Energy Design When Your Furnace Is Producing Weird Noises
Some furnaces, especially older ones, may be louder than others. But if you’re noticing very loud or strange noises, you should get in touch with 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 get in touch with a pro.
Furnace Making Gurgling or Bubbling Noise
This noise is more common with high-efficiency furnaces. That’s because they exhaust fumes in another way than older furnaces, and the process can produce some moisture. If your furnace is having difficulties draining this water, it can make gurgling or bubbling sounds. You’ll need experienced} 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 great thing when your furnace is making a banging sound. It may mean a couple of things.
Haven’t had maintenance done recently and your furnace is producing a banging sound when starting? Its burners can be dirty. Dirty burners can stall ignition, which leads gas to accumulate within your furnace.
All that increased gas can make a banging or booming sound when your furnace ultimately} does ignite. But this is more than just an irritating noise, because the increased gas is exploding within your furnace. This can crack your furnace’s heat exchanger and create a life-threatening carbon monoxide leak.
If you’ve overlooked regular maintenance for your furnace and you’re hearing this noise, give Air-Right Energy Design a ring at 703-260-1148. Our heating professionals will get your furnace tuned up and make sure it’s running correctly.
Your ductwork can also make banging sounds when your furnace turns on, as the metal is expanding and contracting.
We recommend first checking your furnace’s air filter and getting a new one if it’s filthy. Next, make sure you don’t have too many vents closed in your home, as it can throw off air pressure.
If neither of these things repair the problem, your ductwork could be dirty or undersized, which will be a need for assistance from a skilled HVAC specialist.
Furnace Making Humming or Buzzing Noise
If your furnace is buzzing or humming, it’s a symptom there’s electrical troubles. This is most frequently seen with a dying blower fan motor, which will make an irritating buzzing noise when your furnace begins to heat. It may also mean there’s trouble with the capacitor or transformer. All three of these issues need assistance 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 frequently a symptom that an internal part is breaking down. This might be anything from a bearing to a belt or the gas valve. It might also be a sign that your burners need to be cleaned.
These troubles are often uncovered during annual maintenance performed by a certified HVAC tech. So, while we’re at your home 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 troubles: worn bearings, gas valve problems or ignition issues. All these issues need professional support.
At Air-Right Energy Design, our pros are here to help you relax in peaceful, energy-efficient comfort. If your furnace is louder than normal or producing odd sounds, contact us at 703-260-1148 to request an appointment today.
