As your furnace turns on and prepares to warm up your residence, it’s common for it to produce some noise. These sounds, like the burners igniting and the blower running, are all part of the normal start-up process.
But there are several things you can do to make your furnace quieter this winter.
1. Schedule Yearly Furnace Maintenance
Furnace maintenance is extremely important, because it keeps your manufacturer warranty in place. This helps shield you if something huge stops working in your furnace during your warranty period.
It can also help our pros uncover little problems that could make your furnace loud. And potentially help you avoid a breakdown on the chilliest day of the year. The Indoor Air Quality Association reports that annual maintenance can reduce your chance of furnace malfunctions by up to 95%.
If little furnace troubles go undetected, they can lead to trouble in the future. By discovering these problems in advance, our technicians can get your furnace fixed before heating season begins.
And, most important, pro cleaning and lubrication of your furnace’s moving parts can help make it more efficient. A properly maintained furnace could save up to 30% on your energy expenses, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
2. Routinely Change Your Furnace’s Air Filter
Your air filter helps keep your residence’s air fresh and clean. When it gets too filthy, it can make your furnace turn on and off more than it should. Referred to as short cycling, this can cause your furnace to consume extra gas and make it stop working faster.
Our suggestions for changing your furnace filter:
- Flat filter: Monthly
- Pleated filter: Every three months
You could have to change your filter more regularly if you have allergies or pets.
3. Call Tri City Fuel & Heating Co., Inc. When Your Furnace is Producing Odd Noises
Some furnaces, often older ones, may make more noise than others. But if you’re detecting extremely loud or odd noises, it may be time to call a heating and cooling company like Tri City Fuel & Heating Co., Inc. for furnace repair in West Columbia.
Here are a few noises to be on the lookout 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 exhaust fumes in another way than older furnaces, and the process can make some moisture. If your furnace is running into issues draining this water, it could make gurgling or bubbling sounds. You’ll want pro assistance for this problem, since it could be the result of by a blocked drain pipe or clogged drain pan.
Furnace Making Banging Noise
It’s not a good indicator when your furnace is making a banging sound. It may mean a few things.
Haven’t requested maintenance lately and your furnace is creating a banging sound when turning on? Its burners might be dirty. Dirty burners can stall ignition, which leads gas to accumulate in your furnace.
All that accumulated gas can cause a banging or booming sound when your furnace finally does ignite. But this is more than only an annoying noise, because the built-up gas is exploding inside your furnace. This can break your furnace’s heat exchanger and create a dangerous carbon monoxide leak.
If you’ve neglected yearly maintenance for your furnace and you’re noticing this noise, give Tri City Fuel & Heating Co., Inc. a shout at 803-265-4208. Our heating specialists will get your furnace tuned up and double-check it’s running safely.
Your ductwork can also make banging sounds when your furnace turns on, because the metal is expanding and contracting.
We advise first inspecting your furnace’s air filter and replacing it if it’s dirty. Next, make sure you don’t have too many vents closed in your residence, as it can force air pressure out of balance.
If neither of these methods fix the problem, your ductwork could be dirty or undersized, which will be a need for assistance from a professional HVAC tech.
Furnace Making Humming or Buzzing Noise
If your furnace is buzzing or humming, it’s a flag there’s an electrical problem. This is most frequently seen with a sputtering blower fan motor, which will make an annoying buzzing noise when your furnace starts. It might also mean there’s a problem with the capacitor or transformer. All three of these troubles require help from a skilled heating and cooling company like Tri City Fuel & Heating Co., Inc..
Furnace Making Knocking Noise
If your furnace is making knocking sounds, it’s usually an indication that an internal part is going out. This can be anything from a bearing to a belt or the gas valve. It may also be a symptom that your burners need to be cleaned.
These troubles are frequently caught during regular maintenance performed by a certified HVAC pro. So, while we’re at your house working on repairs, don’t forget to inquire about requesting your maintenance appointment for the future.
Furnace Making Clicking Noise
A clicking sound might be the result of troubles: worn bearings, gas valve troubles or ignition issues. All these issues require skilled assistance.
At Tri City Fuel & Heating Co., Inc., our professionals are here to help you enjoy quiet, energy-efficient comfort. If your furnace is louder than it typically is or producing weird sounds, contact us at 803-265-4208 to request an appointment now.