As your furnace switches on and gets ready to warm up your house, it’s expected for it to produce some noise. These sounds, like the burners firing up and the blower operating, are all part of the normal start-up procedures.
But there are a few things you can do to make your furnace run more quietly this winter.
1. Request Regular Furnace Maintenance
Furnace maintenance is extremely important, as it keeps your manufacturer warranty in place. This helps shield you if something major stops working in your furnace during your warranty time.
It can also help us uncover little issues that can make your furnace annoying. And possibly help you avoid a meltdown on the coldest day of the year. The Indoor Air Quality Association reports that routine maintenance can decrease your probability of furnace malfunctions by up to 95%.
If little furnace issues go ignored, they may result in trouble later on. By finding these troubles sooner, our pros can get your furnace taken care of before heating season is underway.
And most critical, pro 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 gas bills, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
2. Regularly Put in a New Furnace’s Air Filter
Your air filter helps keep your house’s air fresh and clean. When it gets too clogged, it can make your furnace turn on and off too often. Referred to as short cycling, this can cause your furnace to use additional energy and make it break down faster.
Our recommendations for replacing your furnace filter:
- Flat filter: Once a month
- Pleated filter: Every three months
You could have to get a new filter more frequently if you have allergies or pets.
3. Get in Touch with Watts Electric & AC When Your Furnace Is Making Weird Noises
Some furnaces, particularly older ones, might be louder than others. But if you’re detecting very loud or odd noises, you might need to get in touch with a heating and cooling company like Watts Electric & AC for furnace repair in Columbia.
Here are several noises to be looking for, how to solve them and when to get in touch with a specialist.
Furnace Making Gurgling or Bubbling Noise
This noise occurs more commonly with high-efficiency furnaces. That’s because they exhaust fumes dissimilarly than older furnaces, and the process can make some moisture. If your furnace is running into difficulties discharging this water, it can make gurgling or bubbling sounds. You’ll require experienced} support for this problem, since it could be created by a blocked drain pipe or clogged drain pan.
Furnace Making Banging Noise
It’s not a great thing 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 might be dirty. Dirty burners can hold up ignition, which leads gas to accumulate within your furnace.
All that accumulated gas can make a banging or booming sound when your furnace finally} does ignite. But this is more than merely an irritating noise, since the built-up gas is erupting within your furnace. This can damage your furnace’s heat exchanger and cause a deadly carbon monoxide leak.
If you’ve ignored regular maintenance for your furnace and you’re hearing this noise, give Watts Electric & AC a shout at 601-736-7362. Our heating professionals will get your furnace tuned up and make sure it’s working correctly.
Your ductwork can also create banging sounds when your furnace starts, because the metal is expanding and contracting.
We recommend first inspecting your furnace’s air filter and replacing it if it’s clogged. Next, make sure you don’t have too many vents sealed in your residence, as it can throw off air pressure.
If neither of these methods repair the problem, your ductwork may be dirty or undersized, which will be a need for 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 electrical troubles. This is most often seen with a faltering blower fan motor, which will create an irritating buzzing noise when your furnace turns on. It might also mean there’s a problem with the capacitor or transformer. All three of these problems need support 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 dying. This may be anything from a bearing to a belt or the gas valve. It may also be a sign that your burners need to be cleaned.
These troubles are often uncovered during annual maintenance done by a certified HVAC pro. So, while we’re at your residence working on repairs, don’t forget to check with us about scheduling your maintenance appointment for the future.
Furnace Making Clicking Noise
A clicking sound could be the result of problems: worn bearings, gas valve troubles or ignition problems. All these troubles need pro support.
At Watts Electric & AC, our specialists are here to help you relax in peaceful, energy-efficient comfort. If your furnace is louder than it usually is or producing weird sounds, contact us at 601-736-7362 to get an appointment right away.