As your furnace switches on and gets ready to add warmth to your home, it’s normal for it to create some noise. These sounds, such as the burners firing up and the blower running, are all part of the usual start-up procedures.
But there are a few approaches you can do to make your furnace run more quietly this winter.
1. Request Annual Furnace Maintenance
Furnace maintenance is extremely important, because it keeps your manufacturer warranty valid. This helps protect you if something huge stops working in your furnace during your warranty range.
It can also help us spot small issues that might make your furnace annoying. And maybe help you avoid a breakdown on the most frigid day of the year. The Indoor Air Quality Association reports that annual maintenance can decrease your probability of furnace breakdowns by up to 95%.
If minor furnace troubles go undetected, they may cause trouble later on. By unearthing these problems sooner, our pros can get your furnace taken care of before heating season is in full swing.
And most essential, pro cleaning and lubrication of your furnace’s moving pieces can help make it more efficient. A properly maintained furnace could save up to 30% on your utility expenses, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
2. Frequently Change Your Furnace’s Air Filter
Your air filter helps keep your home’s air fresh and clean. When it turns 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 eat up additional gas and make it wear out faster.
Our recommendations for changing your furnace filter:
- Flat filter: Every month
- Pleated filter: Every three months
You may have to change your filter more regularly if you have allergies or pets.
3. Contact Temperature Doctors Heating & Cooling When Your Furnace Is Producing Weird Noises
Some furnaces, especially older ones, may be noisier than others. But if you’re noticing extremely loud or weird noises, you might need to contact a heating and cooling company like Temperature Doctors Heating & Cooling for furnace repair in Rockford.
Here are a few noises to be looking for, how to fix them and when to call a pro.
Furnace Making Gurgling or Bubbling Noise
This noise is more common with high-efficiency furnaces. That’s due to the fact they exhaust fumes in another way than older furnaces, and the process can produce some moisture. If your furnace is experiencing difficulties removing this water, it may make gurgling or bubbling sounds. You’ll require skilled support for this problem, since it might 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 several things.
Haven’t requested maintenance recently and your furnace is making a banging sound when starting? Its burners might be dirty. Dirty burners can delay ignition, which leads gas to accumulate within your furnace.
All that built-up gas can cause a banging or booming racket when your furnace ultimately does ignite. But this is more than merely an irritating noise, since the increased gas is igniting within your furnace. This can break your furnace’s heat exchanger and create a life-threatening carbon monoxide leak.
If you’ve overlooked regular tune-ups for your furnace and you’re noticing this noise, give Temperature Doctors Heating & Cooling a ring at (815) 914-6197. Our heating professionals will get your furnace tuned up and ensure it’s running correctly.
Your ductwork can also create banging sounds when your furnace switches on, because the metal is expanding and contracting.
We suggest first looking at your furnace’s air filter and getting a new one if it’s clogged. Next, ensure you don’t have too many vents closed in your home, as it can force air pressure out of balance.
If neither of these steps repair the problem, your ductwork may be dirty or undersized, which will call for assistance from a skilled HVAC specialist.
Furnace Making Humming or Buzzing Noise
If your furnace is buzzing or humming, it’s a flag there’s an electrical problem. This is most frequently seen with a dying blower fan motor, which will produce an annoying buzzing noise when your furnace switches on. It could also mean there’s a problem with the capacitor or transformer. All three of these issues need help from a skilled heating and cooling company like Temperature Doctors Heating & Cooling.
Furnace Making Knocking Noise
If your furnace is making knocking sounds, it’s typically a symptom that an internal component is going out. This could 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 problems are usually uncovered during regular maintenance performed by a certified HVAC tech. So, while we’re at your home working on repairs, don’t forget to inquire about booking your maintenance appointment for next year.
Furnace Making Clicking Noise
A clicking sound can be the result of problems: worn bearings, gas valve problems or ignition issues. All these issues need skilled support.
At Temperature Doctors Heating & Cooling, our specialists are here to help you enjoy peaceful, energy-efficient comfort. If your furnace is louder than it typically is or producing weird sounds, contact us at (815) 914-6197 to schedule an appointment right away.