As your furnace starts up and begins to add warmth to your residence, it’s common for it to create some noise. These sounds, including the burners igniting and the blower running, are all part of the usual start-up steps.
But there are a couple of steps you can do to make your furnace run more quietly this winter.
1. Request Annual Furnace Maintenance
Furnace maintenance is extremely important, as 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 pros uncover little issues that can make your furnace noisy. And potentially help you prevent a malfunction on the most frigid day of the year. The Indoor Air Quality Association reports that annual maintenance can reduce your probability of furnace repairs by up to 95%.
If minor furnace issues go undetected, they may cause trouble later on. By discovering these troubles sooner, our pros can get your furnace taken care of before heating season begins.
And most essential, professional cleaning and lubrication of your furnace’s moving components 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. Routinely Replace Your Furnace’s Air Filter
Your air filter helps keep your residence’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 use additional fuel and make it break down 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 frequently if you have allergies or pets.
3. Get in Touch with Watts Electric & AC When Your Furnace Is Producing Strange Noises
Some furnaces, particularly older ones, can make more noise than others. But if you’re detecting exceedingly loud or weird noises, you might need to call a heating and cooling company like Watts Electric & AC for furnace repair in Columbia.
Here are a couple of noises to keep an eye out for, how to fix them and when to call a pro.
Furnace Making Gurgling or Bubbling Noise
This noise occurs more commonly with high-efficiency furnaces. That’s since they discharge fumes in another way than older furnaces, and the process can create some moisture. If your furnace is having difficulties draining this water, it may make gurgling or bubbling sounds. You’ll require professional} support for this issue, 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 may mean a few things.
Haven’t requested maintenance recently and your furnace is creating a banging sound when starting? Its burners can be dirty. Dirty burners can stall ignition, which causes gas to accumulate within your furnace.
All that built-up gas can cause a banging or booming racket when your furnace eventually} does ignite. But this is more than merely an irritating noise, because the built-up gas is igniting within your furnace. This can crack your furnace’s heat exchanger and make a dangerous carbon monoxide leak.
If you’ve ignored regular tune-ups for your furnace and you’re hearing this noise, give Watts Electric & AC a call at 601-736-7362. Our heating specialists will get your furnace tuned up and double-check it’s working correctly.
Your ductwork can also create banging sounds when your furnace turns on, since the metal is expanding and contracting.
We recommend first looking at your furnace’s air filter and replacing it if it’s clogged. Next, ensure you don’t have too many vents closed in your house, as it can force air pressure out of balance.
If neither of these things repair the sound, your ductwork may 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 symptom there’s electrical troubles. This is most frequently seen with a faltering blower fan motor, which will produce an annoying buzzing noise when your furnace switches on. It could also mean there’s trouble with the capacitor or transformer. All three of these issues need assistance from a skilled heating and cooling company like Watts Electric & AC.
Furnace Making Knocking Noise
If your furnace is making knocking sounds, it’s typically a symptom that an internal part is breaking down. This may be anything from a bearing to a belt or the gas valve. It could also be a sign that your burners need cleaning.
These problems are typically uncovered during yearly maintenance provided by a certified HVAC tech. So, while we’re at your home performing repairs, don’t forget to check with us about requesting your maintenance appointment for the upcoming year.
Furnace Making Clicking Noise
A clicking sound can be the result of troubles: worn bearings, gas valve issues or ignition issues. All these troubles need specialized assistance.
At Watts Electric & AC, our specialists are here to help you relax in peaceful, energy-efficient comfort. If your furnace is louder than it typically is or producing strange sounds, contact us at 601-736-7362 to schedule an appointment right away.