As your furnace switches on and prepares to heat your home, it’s normal for it to create some noise. These sounds, including the burners igniting and the blower whirring, are all part of the typical start-up steps.
But there are several approaches you can do to make your furnace run more quietly this winter.
1. Schedule Regular Furnace Maintenance
Furnace maintenance is highly important, since it keeps your manufacturer warranty valid. This helps protect you if something major stops working in your furnace during your warranty range.
It can also help our professionals find little issues that might make your furnace loud. And maybe help you avoid a malfunction on the most frigid day of the year. The Indoor Air Quality Association reports that regular maintenance can reduce your chance of furnace malfunctions by up to 95%.
If little furnace issues go ignored, they may cause trouble later on. By finding these problems sooner, our technicians can get your furnace taken care of before heating season is at its peak.
And most important, specialized cleaning and lubrication of your furnace’s moving components can help make it more efficient. A well-maintained furnace could save up to 30% on your gas bills, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
2. Routinely Change Your Furnace’s Air Filter
Your air filter helps keep your home’s air fresh and clean. When it gets too clogged, it can make your furnace turn on and off too often. Known as short cycling, this can cause your furnace to consume additional gas and make it break down faster.
Our recommendations for replacing your furnace filter:
- Flat filter: Once a month
- Pleated filter: Every three months
You might have to get a new filter more frequently if you have allergies or pets.
3. Get in Touch with Retro HVAC Service & Installation When Your Furnace Is Producing Strange Noises
Some furnaces, particularly older ones, may be noisier than others. But if you’re detecting exceedingly loud or weird noises, it may be time to get in touch with a heating and cooling company like Retro HVAC Service & Installation for furnace repair in Philadelphia.
Here are a couple of noises to keep an eye out for, how to fix them and when to call a specialist.
Furnace Making Gurgling or Bubbling Noise
This noise occurs more commonly with high-efficiency furnaces. That’s because they exhaust fumes differently than older furnaces, and the process can make some moisture. If your furnace is experiencing difficulties removing this water, it can make gurgling or bubbling sounds. You’ll want experienced support for this trouble, since it could be created by a blocked drain pipe or clogged drain pan.
Furnace Making Banging Noise
It’s not a good thing when your furnace is making a banging sound. It could mean a couple of things.
Haven’t requested maintenance recently and your furnace is creating a banging sound when turning on? Its burners could be dirty. Dirty burners can hold up ignition, which causes gas to accumulate in your furnace.
All that built-up gas can cause a banging or booming sound when your furnace ultimately does ignite. But this is more than only an irritating noise, since the increased gas is exploding within your furnace. This can break your furnace’s heat exchanger and make a life-threatening carbon monoxide leak.
If you’ve forgotten regular service for your furnace and you’re noticing this noise, give Retro HVAC Service & Installation a shout at 267-277-3851. Our heating specialists will get your furnace tuned up and ensure it’s working correctly.
Your ductwork can also create banging sounds when your furnace switches on, since the metal is expanding and contracting.
We suggest first checking your furnace’s air filter and installing a new one if it’s clogged. Next, double-check you don’t have too many vents sealed in your residence, as it can force air pressure out of balance.
If neither of these methods repair the problem, 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 an electrical problem. This is most frequently seen with a sputtering blower fan motor, which will produce an irritating buzzing noise when your furnace starts. It could also mean there’s a problem with the capacitor or transformer. All three of these troubles need help from an experienced heating and cooling company like Retro HVAC Service & Installation.
Furnace Making Knocking Noise
If your furnace is making knocking sounds, it’s usually a symptom that an internal piece 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 troubles are often uncovered during regular maintenance done by a certified HVAC technician. So, while we’re at your home working on repairs, don’t forget to inquire about scheduling your maintenance appointment for the upcoming year.
Furnace Making Clicking Noise
A clicking sound might be the result of issues: worn bearings, gas valve problems or ignition problems. All these troubles need professional help.
At Retro HVAC Service & Installation, our specialists are here to help you relax in peaceful, energy-efficient comfort. If your furnace is louder than it usually is or producing strange sounds, contact us at 267-277-3851 to get an appointment right away.