As your furnace starts up and gets ready to add warmth to your house, it’s common for it to make some noise. These sounds, like the burners firing up and the blower whirring, are all part of the normal start-up steps.
But there are a few things you can do to make your furnace less noisy this winter.
1. Book Yearly Furnace Maintenance
Furnace maintenance is highly important, as it keeps your manufacturer warranty valid. This helps protect you if something huge stops working in your furnace during your warranty period.
It can also help our professionals uncover small issues that could make your furnace noisy. 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 chance of furnace repairs by up to 95%.
If little furnace issues go ignored, they may result in trouble later on. By unearthing these troubles sooner, our techs can get your furnace fixed before heating season is in full swing.
And most important, pro 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 heating bills, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
2. Regularly Put in a New Furnace’s Air Filter
Your air filter helps keep your house’s air fresh and clean. When it gets too dirty, it can make your furnace turn on and off more than it should. Called short cycling, this can cause your furnace to use additional fuel and make it stop working faster.
Our suggestions for installing a new furnace filter:
- Flat filter: Monthly
- Pleated filter: Every three months
You may have to get a new filter more regularly if you have allergies or pets.
3. Call Siloam Springs Heating & AC When Your Furnace Is Making Weird Noises
Some furnaces, especially older ones, may be noisier than others. But if you’re noticing very loud or odd noises, it may be time to get in touch with a heating and cooling company like Siloam Springs Heating & AC for furnace repair in Siloam Springs.
Here are several noises to be on the lookout for, how to fix them and when to call a pro.
Furnace Making Gurgling or Bubbling Noise
This noise happens more frequently with high-efficiency furnaces. That’s due to the fact they exhaust fumes dissimilarly than older furnaces, and the process can create some moisture. If your furnace is experiencing difficulties discharging this water, it may make gurgling or bubbling sounds. You’ll want skilled support for this issue, 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 can mean a few things.
Haven’t had maintenance done recently and your furnace is making a banging sound when starting? Its burners might be dirty. Dirty burners can hold up ignition, which causes gas to accumulate in your furnace.
All that accumulated gas can make a banging or booming sound when your furnace ultimately does ignite. But this is more than just an irritating noise, because the built-up gas is igniting within your furnace. This can crack your furnace’s heat exchanger and make a deadly carbon monoxide leak.
If you’ve ignored regular maintenance for your furnace and you’re hearing this noise, give Siloam Springs Heating & AC a call at 479-308-8176. Our heating pros will get your furnace tuned up and double-check it’s working correctly.
Your ductwork can also create banging sounds when your furnace switches on, as the metal is expanding and contracting.
We recommend first inspecting your furnace’s air filter and getting a new one if it’s dirty. Next, make sure you don’t have too many vents sealed in your home, as it can make air pressure uneven.
If neither of these methods repair the sound, your ductwork could be dirty or undersized, which will be a need for assistance from a professional HVAC tech.
Furnace Making Humming or Buzzing Noise
If your furnace is buzzing or humming, it’s a flag there’s electrical troubles. This is most frequently seen with a sputtering blower fan motor, which will produce an irritating buzzing noise when your furnace switches on. It can also mean there’s a problem with the capacitor or transformer. All three of these troubles need help from a professional heating and cooling company like Siloam Springs Heating & AC.
Furnace Making Knocking Noise
If your furnace is making knocking sounds, it’s typically a symptom that an internal part is breaking down. This could be anything from a bearing to a belt or the gas valve. It might also be a symptom that your burners need to be cleaned.
These issues are usually uncovered during annual maintenance provided by a certified HVAC technician. So, while we’re at your home doing repairs, don’t forget to inquire about requesting your maintenance appointment for the future.
Furnace Making Clicking Noise
A clicking sound could be the result of issues: worn bearings, gas valve troubles or ignition problems. All these problems need skilled support.
At Siloam Springs Heating & AC, our experts are here to help you unwind in peaceful, energy-efficient comfort. If your furnace is louder than it typically is or producing weird sounds, contact us at 479-308-8176 to request an appointment today.