As your furnace turns on and gets ready to add warmth to your residence, it’s typical for it to produce some noise. These sounds, like the burners firing up and the blower whirring, are all part of the normal start-up process.

But there are a few things you can do to make your furnace quieter this winter.

1. Book Yearly Furnace Maintenance

Furnace maintenance is extremely important, as it keeps your manufacturer warranty valid. This helps shield you if something major stops working in your furnace during your warranty time.

It can also help our professionals spot small issues that could make your furnace annoying. 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 likelihood of furnace repairs by up to 95%.

If minor furnace issues go ignored, they may result in trouble in the future. By discovering these troubles sooner, our technicians can get your furnace repaired before heating season is at its peak.

And most important, specialized 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 heating expenses, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

2. Frequently Replace 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 too often. 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 replace your filter more frequently if you have allergies or pets.

3. Call Kapaun & Brown When Your Furnace Is Producing Odd Noises

Some furnaces, especially older ones, might be louder than others. But if you’re detecting very loud or odd noises, you might need to contact a heating and cooling company like Kapaun & Brown for furnace repair in Marshalltown.

Here are a couple of noises to keep an eye out for, how to solve them and when to contact a specialist.

Furnace Making Gurgling or Bubbling Noise

This noise occurs more commonly with high-efficiency furnaces. That’s since they emit fumes dissimilarly than older furnaces, and the process can produce some moisture. If your furnace is running into difficulties removing this water, it might make gurgling or bubbling sounds. You’ll require skilled 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 several things.

Haven’t had maintenance done recently and your furnace is making a banging sound when starting? Its burners can be dirty. Dirty burners can delay ignition, which leads gas to accumulate inside your furnace.

All that increased gas can cause a banging or booming racket when your furnace ultimately does ignite. But this is more than just an irritating noise, since the increased gas is exploding within your furnace. This can crack your furnace’s heat exchanger and cause a life-threatening carbon monoxide leak.

If you’ve neglected regular tune-ups for your furnace and you’re noticing this noise, give Kapaun & Brown a ring at 641-812-2028. Our heating specialists will get your furnace tuned up and ensure it’s operating correctly.

Your ductwork can also create banging sounds when your furnace starts, since the metal is expanding and contracting.

We recommend first checking your furnace’s air filter and replacing it if it’s filthy. Next, double-check you don’t have too many vents closed in your residence, as it can make air pressure uneven.

If neither of these methods repair the issue, your ductwork might be dirty or undersized, which will call for assistance from a skilled HVAC technician.

Furnace Making Humming or Buzzing Noise

If your furnace is buzzing or humming, it’s a sign there’s an electrical problem. This is most usually 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 troubles need help from a professional heating and cooling company like Kapaun & Brown.

Furnace Making Knocking Noise

If your furnace is making knocking sounds, it’s frequently a symptom that an internal component is going out. This can be anything from a bearing to a belt or the gas valve. It may also be an indication that your burners need cleaning.

These problems are frequently uncovered during annual maintenance performed by a certified HVAC technician. So, while we’re at your home doing repairs, don’t forget to ask us about scheduling your maintenance appointment for next year.

Furnace Making Clicking Noise

A clicking sound might be the result of problems: worn bearings, gas valve problems or ignition troubles. All these issues need skilled support.

At Kapaun & Brown, our specialists are here to help you unwind in peaceful, energy-efficient comfort. If your furnace is louder than it typically is or producing weird sounds, contact us at 641-812-2028 to get an appointment today.