As your furnace switches on and begins to warm up your residence, it’s typical for it to make some noise. These sounds, like the burners lighting and the blower whirring, are all part of the usual start-up procedures.
But there are a few things you can do to make your furnace less noisy this winter.
1. Request Annual Furnace Maintenance
Furnace maintenance is extremely important, as it keeps your manufacturer warranty valid. This helps shield you if something big stops working in your furnace during your warranty period.
It can also help our professionals find minor troubles that might make your furnace loud. And maybe help you avoid a malfunction on the most frigid day of the year. The Indoor Air Quality Association reports that routine maintenance can reduce your probability of furnace repairs by up to 95%.
If little furnace troubles keep on being unnoticed, they could cause an issue later on. By unearthing these troubles sooner, our techs can get your furnace fixed before heating season is at its peak.
And, most essential, professional cleaning and lubrication of your furnace’s moving parts can help make it more efficient. A correctly maintained furnace could save up to 30% on your heating 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 home’s air fresh and clean. When it gets too dirty, it can make your furnace turn on and off too frequently. Referred to as short cycling, this can cause your furnace to consume extra gas and make it wear out more rapidly.
Our suggestions for installing a new furnace filter:
- Flat filter: Once a month
- Pleated filter: Every three months
You might have to replace your filter more regularly if you have allergies or pets.
3. Call Olde Towne Heating & Air When Your Furnace is Creating Odd Noises
Some furnaces, particularly older ones, might be louder than others. But if you’re hearing extremely loud or weird noises, you might need to contact a heating and cooling company like Olde Towne Heating & Air for furnace repair in Mount Pleasant.
Here are a few noises to be looking for, how to fix them and when to contact a professional.
Furnace Making Gurgling or Bubbling Noise
This noise occurs more commonly with high-efficiency furnaces. That’s because they emit fumes differently than older furnaces, and the process can make some moisture. If your furnace is having difficulties discharging this water, it can make gurgling or bubbling sounds. You’ll require pro help for this trouble, since it may be caused 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 could mean a couple of things.
Haven’t requested maintenance this year and your furnace is creating a banging sound when starting? Its burners could be dirty. Dirty burners can stall ignition, which leads gas to accumulate inside your furnace.
All that increased gas can create a banging or booming noise when your furnace ultimately does ignite. But this is more than merely an annoying noise, because the increased gas is igniting within your furnace. This can break your furnace’s heat exchanger and create a life-threatening carbon monoxide leak.
If you’ve ignored regular service for your furnace and you’re detecting this noise, give Olde Towne Heating & Air a shout at 843-485-0967. Our heating pros will get your furnace tuned up and double-check it’s operating properly.
Your ductwork can also produce banging sounds when your furnace switches on, as the metal is expanding and contracting.
We suggest first inspecting your furnace’s air filter and getting a new one if it’s dirty. Next, ensure you don’t have too many vents sealed in your residence, as it can make air pressure uneven.
If neither of these things fix the sound, your ductwork could be dirty or undersized, which will require assistance from a pro HVAC technician.
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 sputtering blower fan motor, which will create an annoying buzzing noise when your furnace begins to heat. It may also mean there’s an issue with the capacitor or transformer. All three of these troubles need support from a skilled heating and cooling company like Olde Towne Heating & Air.
Furnace Making Knocking Noise
If your furnace is making knocking sounds, it’s often a sign that an internal piece is going out. This could be anything from a bearing to a belt or the gas valve. It could also be a symptom that your burners need to be cleaned.
These problems are typically unearthed during yearly maintenance done by a certified HVAC technician. So, while we’re at your house doing repairs, don’t forget to ask us about requesting your maintenance appointment for next year.
Furnace Making Clicking Noise
A clicking sound can be created by issues: worn bearings, gas valve issues or ignition problems. All these issues require specialized assistance.
At Olde Towne Heating & Air, our professionals are here to help you unwind in tranquil, energy-efficient comfort. If your furnace is louder than it usually is or creating strange sounds, contact us at 843-485-0967 to book an appointment right away.