As your furnace turns on and gets ready to warm up your residence, it’s expected for it to make some noise. These sounds, including the burners lighting and the blower operating, are all part of the typical start-up process.

But there are a couple of steps you can do to make your furnace less noisy this winter.

1. Schedule Yearly Furnace Maintenance

Furnace maintenance is highly important, because it keeps your manufacturer warranty valid. This helps shield you if something huge stops working in your furnace during your warranty period.

It can also help our pros find minor issues that could make your furnace noisy. And possibly help you sidestep a malfunction on the most frigid day of the year. The Indoor Air Quality Association reports that annual maintenance can reduce your likelihood of furnace meltdowns by up to 95%.

If minor furnace issues go undetected, they may lead to trouble down the road. By unearthing these troubles sooner, our professionals can get your furnace taken care of before heating season is in full swing.

And most essential, specialized cleaning and lubrication of your furnace’s moving parts can help make it more efficient. A well-maintained furnace could save up to 30% on your utility costs, 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 gets too clogged, it can make your furnace turn on and off too frequently. Known as short cycling, this can cause your furnace to consume additional gas and make it stop working faster.

Our advice for changing your furnace filter:

  • Flat filter: Once a month
  • Pleated filter: Every three months

You might have to install a new filter more frequently if you have allergies or pets.

3. Get in Touch with Tri City Fuel & Heating When Your Furnace Is Making Strange Noises

Some furnaces, especially older ones, could make more noise than others. But if you’re hearing exceedingly loud or weird noises, you should call a heating and cooling company like Tri City Fuel & Heating for furnace repair in West Columbia.

Here are a few noises to be looking for, how to take care of them and when to call a pro.

Furnace Making Gurgling or Bubbling Noise

This noise is more common with high-efficiency furnaces. That’s due to the fact they discharge fumes in another way than older furnaces, and the process can create some moisture. If your furnace is experiencing difficulties discharging this water, it can make gurgling or bubbling sounds. You’ll require pro support for this issue, 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 could mean a couple of things.

Haven’t scheduled maintenance recently and your furnace is creating a banging sound when turning on? Its burners may be dirty. Dirty burners can hold up ignition, which results in gas accumulating in your furnace.

All that accumulated gas can cause a banging or booming noise when your furnace eventually does ignite. But this is more than only an irritating noise, as the increased gas is erupting within your furnace. This can crack your furnace’s heat exchanger and make a deadly carbon monoxide leak.

If you’ve ignored regular service for your furnace and you’re noticing this noise, give Tri City Fuel & Heating a ring at 803-265-4208. Our heating pros will get your furnace tuned up and ensure it’s operating correctly.

Your ductwork can also create banging sounds when your furnace switches on, as the metal is expanding and contracting.

We advise first looking at your furnace’s air filter and getting a new one if it’s filthy. Next, ensure you don’t have too many vents sealed in your residence, as it can force air pressure out of balance.

If neither of these things repair the sound, your ductwork could be dirty or undersized, which will be a need for assistance from a pro HVAC technician.

Furnace Making Humming or Buzzing Noise

If your furnace is buzzing or humming, it’s a symptom there’s an electrical issue. This is most frequently seen with a faltering blower fan motor, which will make a loud buzzing noise when your furnace starts. It might also mean there’s a problem with the capacitor or transformer. All three of these problems need help from a skilled heating and cooling company like Tri City Fuel & Heating.

Furnace Making Knocking Noise

If your furnace is making knocking sounds, it’s usually a symptom that an internal piece is worn out. This could be anything from a bearing to a belt or the gas valve. It can also be a symptom that your burners need cleaning.

These issues are usually uncovered during annual maintenance done by a certified HVAC technician. So, while we’re at your residence performing repairs, don’t forget to check with us about booking your maintenance appointment for next year.

Furnace Making Clicking Noise

A clicking sound could be the result of issues: worn bearings, gas valve troubles or ignition troubles. All these issues need professional help.

At Tri City Fuel & Heating, our experts are here to help you unwind in peaceful, energy-efficient comfort. If your furnace is louder than normal or producing strange sounds, contact us at 803-265-4208 to get an appointment now.