As your furnace switches on and prepares to heat your residence, it’s common for it to produce some noise. These sounds, including the burners firing up and the blower running, are all part of the usual start-up procedures.
But there are a couple of steps 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 shield you if something major stops working in your furnace during your warranty range.
It can also help our professionals find minor issues that could make your furnace loud. And possibly help you prevent a malfunction on the most frigid day of the year. The Indoor Air Quality Association reports that regular maintenance can reduce your probability of furnace breakdowns by up to 95%.
If minor furnace problems go undetected, they may result in trouble later on. By uncovering these issues sooner, our pros can get your furnace taken care of before heating season is in full swing.
And most critical, pro 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 Change Your Furnace’s Air Filter
Your air filter helps keep your house’s air fresh and clean. When it becomes too clogged, it can make your furnace turn on and off too often. Referred to as short cycling, this can cause your furnace to consume additional energy and make it wear out faster.
Our advice for replacing your furnace filter:
- Flat filter: Every month
- Pleated filter: Every three months
You might have to replace your filter more often if you have allergies or pets.
3. Get in Touch with Heartland Heating & Cooling When Your Furnace Is Making Odd Noises
Some furnaces, especially older ones, may make more noise than others. But if you’re hearing 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 keep an eye out for, how to fix them and when to call a specialist.
Furnace Making Gurgling or Bubbling Noise
This noise happens more frequently with high-efficiency furnaces. That’s since they discharge fumes in another way than older furnaces, and the process can produce some moisture. If your furnace is experiencing difficulties draining this water, it could make gurgling or bubbling sounds. You’ll need professional} support for this trouble, since it might 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 may mean a few things.
Haven’t scheduled maintenance recently and your furnace is making a banging sound when beginning? Its burners might be dirty. Dirty burners can stall ignition, which results in gas accumulating within your furnace.
All that increased gas can make a banging or booming noise when your furnace ultimately} does ignite. But this is more than just an irritating noise, because the accumulated gas is igniting within your furnace. This can crack your furnace’s heat exchanger and create a dangerous carbon monoxide leak.
If you’ve forgotten regular maintenance for your furnace and you’re hearing this noise, give Heartland Heating & Cooling a ring at 515-344-3579. Our heating professionals will get your furnace tuned up and double-check it’s running correctly.
Your ductwork can also produce banging sounds when your furnace switches on, as the metal is expanding and contracting.
We suggest first checking your furnace’s air filter and installing a new one if it’s dirty. Next, make sure you don’t have too many vents shut in your home, as it can throw off air pressure.
If neither of these methods repair the issue, 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 flag there’s an electrical issue. This is most frequently seen with a sputtering blower fan motor, which will make a loud buzzing noise when your furnace turns on. It could 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 Heartland Heating & Cooling.
Furnace Making Knocking Noise
If your furnace is making knocking sounds, it’s frequently a symptom that an internal piece is worn out. This might be anything from a bearing to a belt or the gas valve. It could also be an indication that your burners need cleaning.
These troubles are usually uncovered during annual maintenance provided by a certified HVAC professional. So, while we’re at your home performing repairs, don’t forget to check with us about booking your maintenance appointment for the future.
Furnace Making Clicking Noise
A clicking sound can be the result of troubles: worn bearings, gas valve problems or ignition problems. All these problems need specialized assistance.
At Heartland Heating & Cooling, our pros are here to help you enjoy peaceful, energy-efficient comfort. If your furnace is louder than it usually is or producing odd sounds, contact us at 515-344-3579 to book an appointment right away.