As your furnace starts up and gets ready to warm up your house, it’s typical for it to produce some noise. These sounds, such as the burners lighting and the blower operating, are all part of the normal start-up procedures.

But there are several approaches you can do to make your furnace quieter this winter.

1. Request Regular Furnace Maintenance

Furnace maintenance is very important, as it keeps your manufacturer warranty valid. This helps protect you if something major stops working in your furnace during your warranty time.

It can also help our pros discover minor issues that could make your furnace loud. And potentially help you prevent a breakdown on the chilliest day of the year. The Indoor Air Quality Association reports that routine maintenance can decrease your chance of furnace meltdowns by up to 95%.

If minor furnace problems go undetected, they may cause trouble later on. By unearthing these problems sooner, our techs can get your furnace fixed before heating season is underway.

And most important, professional cleaning and lubrication of your furnace’s moving pieces can help make it more efficient. A correctly 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 turns too filthy, it can make your furnace turn on and off more than it should. Known as short cycling, this can cause your furnace to eat up additional fuel and make it wear out faster.

Our advice for installing a new furnace filter:

  • Flat filter: Monthly
  • Pleated filter: Every three months

You may have to replace your filter more frequently if you have allergies or pets.

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

Some furnaces, especially older ones, may make more noise than others. But if you’re detecting very loud or strange noises, you might need to contact a heating and cooling company like Tri City Fuel & Heating for furnace repair in West Columbia.

Here are a couple of noises to be on the lookout for, how to repair them and when to call a pro.

Furnace Making Gurgling or Bubbling Noise

This noise occurs more commonly with high-efficiency furnaces. That’s because they discharge fumes dissimilarly than older furnaces, and the process can produce some moisture. If your furnace is running into difficulties draining this water, it may make gurgling or bubbling sounds. You’ll need skilled} support for this issue, since it may 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 several things.

Haven’t had maintenance done recently and your furnace is creating a banging sound when beginning? Its burners might be dirty. Dirty burners can hold up ignition, which causes gas to accumulate inside your furnace.

All that increased gas can cause a banging or booming sound when your furnace ultimately} does ignite. But this is more than merely an irritating noise, as the built-up gas is exploding within your furnace. This can damage your furnace’s heat exchanger and make a dangerous carbon monoxide leak.

If you’ve ignored regular maintenance for your furnace and you’re hearing this noise, give Tri City Fuel & Heating a call at 803-265-4208. Our heating specialists will get your furnace tuned up and ensure 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 looking at your furnace’s air filter and installing a new one if it’s clogged. Next, ensure 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 sound, your ductwork could be dirty or undersized, which will require assistance from a professional HVAC specialist.

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 faltering blower fan motor, which will create an annoying buzzing noise when your furnace switches on. It can also mean there’s trouble with the capacitor or transformer. All three of these troubles need help from an experienced heating and cooling company like Tri City Fuel & Heating.

Furnace Making Knocking Noise

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

These problems are frequently uncovered during yearly maintenance done by a certified HVAC pro. So, while we’re at your house performing 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 problems or ignition troubles. All these issues need skilled support.

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