As your furnace switches on and prepares to warm up your home, it’s expected for it to produce some noise. These sounds, like the burners igniting and the blower operating, are all part of the typical start-up procedures.
But there are a couple of things you can do to make your furnace less noisy this winter.
1. Request Annual Furnace Maintenance
Furnace maintenance is highly 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 discover small troubles that might make your furnace loud. And potentially help you avoid a meltdown on the chilliest day of the year. The Indoor Air Quality Association reports that regular maintenance can decrease your likelihood of furnace malfunctions by up to 95%.
If minor furnace issues go undetected, they could result in a malfunction later on. By finding these troubles in advance, our professionals can get your furnace repaired before heating season begins.
And, most essential, pro 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 utility expenses, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
2. Regularly Replace Your Furnace’s Air Filter
Your air filter helps keep your home’s air fresh and clean. When it gets too filthy, it can make your furnace turn on and off more than it should. Known as short cycling, this can cause your furnace to use additional fuel and make it break down faster.
Our advice for changing your furnace filter:
- Flat filter: Monthly
- Pleated filter: Every three months
You could have to install a new filter more frequently if you have allergies or pets.
3. Get in Touch with Gilray Heating and Cooling When Your Furnace is Creating Odd Noises
Some furnaces, especially older ones, can make more noise than others. But if you’re noticing very loud or strange noises, you might need to get in touch with a heating and cooling company like Gilray Heating and Cooling for furnace repair in Wausau.
Here are a few noises to be looking for, how to take care of them and when to contact a professional.
Furnace Making Gurgling or Bubbling Noise
This noise is more common 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 issues removing this water, it could make gurgling or bubbling sounds. You’ll need pro assistance for this problem, 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 may mean a few things.
Haven’t requested maintenance lately and your furnace is creating a banging sound when starting? Its burners can be dirty. Dirty burners can delay ignition, which leads gas to accumulate within your furnace.
All that built-up gas can make a banging or booming noise when your furnace finally does ignite. But this is more than just an annoying noise, because the built-up gas is exploding in your furnace. This can break your furnace’s heat exchanger and create a life-threatening carbon monoxide leak.
If you’ve neglected annual service for your furnace and you’re detecting this noise, give Gilray Heating and Cooling a call at 715-301-0727. Our heating professionals will get your furnace tuned up and ensure it’s working properly.
Your ductwork can also create banging sounds when your furnace switches on, as 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 closed in your house, as it can make air pressure uneven.
If neither of these things fix the problem, your ductwork may be dirty or undersized, which will require 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 often seen with a dying blower fan motor, which will create an annoying buzzing noise when your furnace starts. It can also mean there’s a problem with the capacitor or transformer. All three of these issues call for assistance from a professional heating and cooling company like Gilray Heating and Cooling.
Furnace Making Knocking Noise
If your furnace is making knocking sounds, it’s often a sign that an internal piece is going out. This could be anything from a bearing to a belt or the gas valve. It can also be an indication that your burners need to be cleaned.
These problems are usually unearthed during regular maintenance done by a certified HVAC pro. So, while we’re at your residence performing repairs, don’t forget to ask us about scheduling your maintenance appointment for next year.
Furnace Making Clicking Noise
A clicking sound might be created by troubles: worn bearings, gas valve troubles or ignition troubles. All these problems require skilled support.
At Gilray Heating and Cooling, our experts are here to help you enjoy tranquil, energy-efficient comfort. If your furnace is louder than it typically is or producing weird sounds, contact us at 715-301-0727 to request an appointment today.