As your furnace switches on and gets ready to heat your residence, it’s normal for it to make some noise. These sounds, such as the burners lighting and the blower running, are all part of the normal start-up steps.
But there are several steps you can do to make your furnace quieter this winter.
1. Schedule Annual Furnace Maintenance
Furnace maintenance is highly important, since it keeps your manufacturer warranty in place. This helps protect you if something big stops working in your furnace during your warranty period.
It can also help our professionals spot little issues that might make your furnace loud. And potentially help you sidestep a malfunction on the coldest day of the year. The Indoor Air Quality Association reports that annual maintenance can reduce your likelihood of furnace breakdowns by up to 95%.
If small furnace problems go undetected, they may lead to trouble down the road. By finding these issues sooner, our pros can get your furnace repaired before heating season is underway.
And most essential, pro cleaning and lubrication of your furnace’s moving pieces 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. Frequently Put in a New 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 frequently. Called short cycling, this can cause your furnace to eat up additional fuel and make it stop working faster.
Our suggestions for replacing your furnace filter:
- Flat filter: Every month
- Pleated filter: Every three months
You may have to install a new filter more frequently if you have allergies or pets.
3. Call JBR Mechanical When Your Furnace Is Producing Odd Noises
Some furnaces, especially older ones, may be noisier than others. But if you’re detecting extremely loud or weird noises, you should call a heating and cooling company like JBR Mechanical for furnace repair in Bedford.
Here are a couple of noises to keep an eye out for, how to solve them and when to get in touch with a pro.
Furnace Making Gurgling or Bubbling Noise
This noise occurs more commonly with high-efficiency furnaces. That’s because they exhaust fumes differently than older furnaces, and the process can create some moisture. If your furnace is experiencing difficulties draining this water, it can make gurgling or bubbling sounds. You’ll need skilled support for this trouble, since it can be created by a blocked drain pipe or clogged drain pan.
Furnace Making Banging Noise
It’s not a positive thing when your furnace is making a banging sound. It might mean several things.
Haven’t scheduled maintenance recently and your furnace is making a banging sound when beginning? Its burners could be dirty. Dirty burners can hold up ignition, which results in gas accumulating within your furnace.
All that accumulated gas can make a banging or booming noise when your furnace finally does ignite. But this is more than only an irritating noise, because the built-up gas is igniting within your furnace. This can break your furnace’s heat exchanger and make a dangerous carbon monoxide leak.
If you’ve neglected regular tune-ups for your furnace and you’re hearing this noise, give JBR Mechanical a shout at 812-266-9785. Our heating specialists will get your furnace tuned up and ensure it’s running correctly.
Your ductwork can also create banging sounds when your furnace turns on, because the metal is expanding and contracting.
We suggest first inspecting your furnace’s air filter and getting a new one if it’s clogged. Next, make sure you don’t have too many vents sealed in your residence, as it can make air pressure uneven.
If neither of these things repair the sound, your ductwork could be dirty or undersized, which will be a need for assistance from a professional 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 often seen with a faltering blower fan motor, which will make an irritating buzzing noise when your furnace starts. It may also mean there’s an issue with the capacitor or transformer. All three of these troubles need support from an experienced heating and cooling company like JBR Mechanical.
Furnace Making Knocking Noise
If your furnace is making knocking sounds, it’s frequently a symptom that an internal piece is dying. This may be anything from a bearing to a belt or the gas valve. It could also be a symptom that your burners need to be cleaned.
These issues are frequently uncovered during regular maintenance provided by a certified HVAC tech. So, while we’re at your house working on repairs, don’t forget to ask us about scheduling your maintenance appointment for the future.
Furnace Making Clicking Noise
A clicking sound might be the result of troubles: worn bearings, gas valve problems or ignition troubles. All these problems need professional assistance.
At JBR Mechanical, 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 812-266-9785 to get an appointment now.