As your furnace turns on and prepares to add warmth to your residence, it’s normal for it to create some noise. These sounds, such as the burners lighting and the blower whirring, are all part of the typical start-up steps.
But there are a few approaches you can do to make your furnace run more quietly this winter.
1. Book Yearly Furnace Maintenance
Furnace maintenance is very important, because it keeps your manufacturer warranty ongoing. This helps protect you if something major malfunctions in your furnace during your warranty range.
It can also help our professionals discover minor issues that could make your furnace noisy. And maybe help you sidestep a malfunction on the coldest day of the year. The Indoor Air Quality Association reports that routine maintenance can reduce your probability of furnace malfunctions by up to 95%.
If minor furnace problems go unnoticed, they can result in a malfunction down the road. By uncovering these troubles early, our technicians can get your furnace fixed before heating season begins.
And, most important, 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 gas expenses, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
2. Regularly Put in a New Furnace’s Air Filter
Your air filter helps keep your home’s air fresh and clean. When it turns too filthy, it can make your furnace turn on and off too frequently. Called short cycling, this can cause your furnace to consume extra gas and make it stop working faster.
Our advice for changing your furnace filter:
- Flat filter: Every month
- Pleated filter: Every three months
You may have to replace your filter more frequently if you have allergies or pets.
3. Contact Kapaun & Brown Inc. When Your Furnace is Producing Weird Noises
Some furnaces, especially older ones, can make more noise than others. But if you’re detecting extremely loud or weird noises, you might need to call a heating and cooling company like Kapaun & Brown Inc. for furnace repair in Marshalltown.
Here are a few noises to keep an eye out for, how to take care of them and when to call a professional.
Furnace Making Gurgling or Bubbling Noise
This noise happens more frequently with high-efficiency furnaces. That’s because they discharge fumes differently than older furnaces, and the process can create some moisture. If your furnace is running into difficulties discharging this water, it can make gurgling or bubbling sounds. You’ll require pro support for this issue, since it can be created 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 can mean several things.
Haven’t had maintenance done recently and your furnace is creating a banging sound when turning on? Its burners may be dirty. Dirty burners can stall ignition, which results in gas accumulating within your furnace.
All that increased gas can create a banging or booming sound when your furnace eventually does ignite. But this is more than only a bothersome noise, because the increased gas is igniting within your furnace. This can crack your furnace’s heat exchanger and make a dangerous carbon monoxide leak.
If you’ve neglected annual maintenance for your furnace and you’re noticing this noise, give Kapaun & Brown Inc. a ring at 641-812-2028. Our heating professionals will get your furnace tuned up and double-check it’s running safely.
Your ductwork can also produce banging sounds when your furnace switches on, since the metal is expanding and contracting.
We suggest first inspecting your furnace’s air filter and installing a new one if it’s clogged. Next, ensure you don’t have too many vents shut in your house, as it can make air pressure uneven.
If neither of these methods take care of the problem, your ductwork might be dirty or undersized, which will be a need for assistance from a professional HVAC technician.
Furnace Making Humming or Buzzing Noise
If your furnace is buzzing or humming, it’s a symptom there’s electrical troubles. This is most often seen with a sputtering blower fan motor, which will make a loud buzzing noise when your furnace starts. It can 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 Kapaun & Brown Inc..
Furnace Making Knocking Noise
If your furnace is making knocking sounds, it’s typically a symptom that an internal piece is dying. This can be anything from a bearing to a belt or the gas valve. It could also be a symptom that your burners are dirty.
These issues are frequently uncovered during regular maintenance provided by a certified HVAC professional. So, while we’re at your residence performing repairs, don’t forget to ask us about scheduling your maintenance appointment for the future.
Furnace Making Clicking Noise
A clicking sound may mean a couple of problems: worn bearings, gas valve troubles or ignition problems. All these troubles require skilled help.
At Kapaun & Brown Inc., our experts are here to help you enjoy quiet, energy-efficient comfort. If your furnace is louder than it usually is or producing weird sounds, contact us at 641-812-2028 to book an appointment today.