As your furnace switches on and gets ready to warm up your house, it’s normal for it to make some noise. These sounds, including the burners firing up and the blower operating, are all part of the normal start-up procedures.
But there are a few steps you can do to make your furnace run more quietly this winter.
1. Schedule Annual Furnace Maintenance
Furnace maintenance is extremely important, because it keeps your manufacturer warranty valid. This helps shield you if something major stops working in your furnace during your warranty range.
It can also help us uncover minor issues that could make your furnace noisy. And possibly help you prevent a meltdown on the coldest day of the year. The Indoor Air Quality Association reports that routine maintenance can decrease your probability of furnace repairs by up to 95%.
If little furnace issues go ignored, they may cause trouble down the road. By unearthing these issues sooner, our pros can get your furnace taken care of before heating season is underway.
And most important, professional cleaning and lubrication of your furnace’s moving components can help make it more efficient. A correctly maintained furnace could save up to 30% on your heating costs, 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 becomes too dirty, it can make your furnace turn on and off too often. Referred to as short cycling, this can cause your furnace to eat up additional energy and make it wear out faster.
Our suggestions for changing your furnace filter:
- Flat filter: Once a month
- Pleated filter: Every three months
You could have to replace your filter more frequently if you have allergies or pets.
3. Call Farnell Mechanical, Inc. When Your Furnace Is Creating Weird Noises
Some furnaces, particularly older ones, may be louder than others. But if you’re hearing exceedingly loud or odd noises, it may be time to contact a heating and cooling company like Farnell Mechanical, Inc. for furnace repair in Auburn and Opelika.
Here are several noises to be on the lookout for, how to take care of them and when to call a specialist.
Furnace Making Gurgling or Bubbling Noise
This noise occurs more commonly with high-efficiency furnaces. That’s since they emit fumes dissimilarly than older furnaces, and the process can create some moisture. If your furnace is running into difficulties removing this water, it might make gurgling or bubbling sounds. You’ll want pro} 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 good thing when your furnace is making a banging sound. It can mean several things.
Haven’t scheduled maintenance recently and your furnace is creating a banging sound when starting? Its burners might be dirty. Dirty burners can hold up ignition, which leads gas to accumulate within your furnace.
All that increased gas can create a banging or booming racket when your furnace finally} does ignite. But this is more than merely an irritating noise, because the increased gas is igniting within your furnace. This can crack your furnace’s heat exchanger and create a deadly carbon monoxide leak.
If you’ve overlooked regular tune-ups for your furnace and you’re detecting this noise, give Farnell Mechanical, Inc. a ring at 334-524-2458. Our heating professionals will get your furnace tuned up and ensure it’s working correctly.
Your ductwork can also make banging sounds when your furnace starts, because the metal is expanding and contracting.
We suggest first checking 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 house, as it can throw off air pressure.
If neither of these things repair the sound, your ductwork might be dirty or undersized, which will call for assistance from a pro HVAC tech.
Furnace Making Humming or Buzzing Noise
If your furnace is buzzing or humming, it’s a symptom there’s an electrical problem. This is most usually seen with a sputtering blower fan motor, which will produce a loud buzzing noise when your furnace switches on. It could also mean there’s an issue with the capacitor or transformer. All three of these issues need help from an experienced heating and cooling company like Farnell Mechanical, Inc..
Furnace Making Knocking Noise
If your furnace is making knocking sounds, it’s often a symptom that an internal component is breaking down. This can be anything from a bearing to a belt or the gas valve. It might also be an indication that your burners need cleaning.
These troubles are usually uncovered during regular maintenance performed by a certified HVAC professional. So, while we’re at your home working on repairs, don’t forget to ask us about booking your maintenance appointment for the upcoming year.
Furnace Making Clicking Noise
A clicking sound may be the result of issues: worn bearings, gas valve troubles or ignition problems. All these troubles need professional assistance.
At Farnell Mechanical, Inc., 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 334-524-2458 to book an appointment now.