As your furnace switches on and prepares to warm up your house, it’s expected for it to create some noise. These sounds, such as the burners firing up and the blower operating, are all part of the typical start-up process.

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

1. Book Regular Furnace Maintenance

Furnace maintenance is extremely important, because it keeps your manufacturer warranty in place. This helps protect you if something huge stops working in your furnace during your warranty time.

It can also help us find little issues that might make your furnace noisy. And possibly help you avoid a malfunction on the most frigid day of the year. The Indoor Air Quality Association reports that regular maintenance can lower your likelihood of furnace meltdowns by up to 95%.

If small furnace problems go undetected, they may lead to trouble later on. By discovering these troubles sooner, our techs can get your furnace fixed before heating season is in full swing.

And most critical, specialized 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 gas costs, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

2. Routinely 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 more than it should. Known as short cycling, this can cause your furnace to consume additional energy and make it break down faster.

Our suggestions for replacing your furnace filter:

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

You might have to change your filter more often if you have allergies or pets.

3. Get in Touch with Heartland Heating & Cooling When Your Furnace Is Producing Weird Noises

Some furnaces, especially older ones, can make more noise than others. But if you’re noticing extremely loud or strange noises, you might need to contact a heating and cooling company like Heartland Heating & Cooling for furnace repair in Des Moines.

Here are a few noises to be looking for, how to fix them and when to contact a pro.

Furnace Making Gurgling or Bubbling Noise

This noise occurs more commonly with high-efficiency furnaces. That’s due to the fact they discharge fumes differently than older furnaces, and the process can produce some moisture. If your furnace is running into difficulties removing this water, it can make gurgling or bubbling sounds. You’ll need pro support for this problem, since it can be created by a blocked drain pipe or clogged drain pan.

Furnace Making Banging Noise

It’s not a great thing when your furnace is making a banging sound. It could mean several things.

Haven’t requested maintenance recently and your furnace is making a banging sound when beginning? Its burners could be dirty. Dirty burners can hold up ignition, which causes gas to accumulate in your furnace.

All that accumulated gas can create a banging or booming noise when your furnace finally does ignite. But this is more than only an irritating noise, since the built-up gas is igniting within your furnace. This can damage your furnace’s heat exchanger and make a deadly carbon monoxide leak.

If you’ve neglected regular tune-ups for your furnace and you’re hearing this noise, give Heartland Heating & Cooling a ring at 515-344-3579. Our heating pros will get your furnace tuned up and make sure 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 checking your furnace’s air filter and installing a new one if it’s dirty. Next, ensure you don’t have too many vents sealed in your home, as it can throw off air pressure.

If neither of these steps repair the problem, your ductwork could be dirty or undersized, which will require assistance from a professional HVAC tech.

Furnace Making Humming or Buzzing Noise

If your furnace is buzzing or humming, it’s a sign there’s electrical troubles. This is most frequently seen with a sputtering blower fan motor, which will produce a loud buzzing noise when your furnace starts. It might also mean there’s an issue with the capacitor or transformer. All three of these problems need assistance from an experienced heating and cooling company like Heartland Heating & Cooling.

Furnace Making Knocking Noise

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

These problems are frequently uncovered during regular maintenance performed by a certified HVAC technician. So, while we’re at your home working on repairs, don’t forget to inquire about requesting your maintenance appointment for the upcoming year.

Furnace Making Clicking Noise

A clicking sound could be the result of troubles: worn bearings, gas valve troubles or ignition troubles. All these problems need skilled support.

At Heartland Heating & Cooling, our pros are here to help you relax in peaceful, energy-efficient comfort. If your furnace is louder than it usually is or producing weird sounds, contact us at 515-344-3579 to schedule an appointment right away.