As your furnace switches on and begins to heat your home, it’s common for it to make some noise. These sounds, including the burners lighting and the blower whirring, are all part of the typical start-up procedures.
But there are a few steps you can do to make your furnace quieter this winter.
1. Schedule Annual Furnace Maintenance
Furnace maintenance is very important, as it keeps your manufacturer warranty in place. This helps defend you if something big stops working in your furnace during your warranty period.
It can also help our pros spot little troubles that might make your furnace noisy. And possibly help you avoid a breakdown on the chilliest day of the year. The Indoor Air Quality Association reports that regular maintenance can reduce your likelihood of furnace meltdowns by up to 95%.
If small furnace troubles go unnoticed, they may cause a breakdown down the road. By unearthing these issues in advance, our techs can get your furnace fixed before heating season is at its peak.
And, most important, pro 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 gas bills, 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 filthy, it can make your furnace turn on and off too frequently. Referred to as short cycling, this can cause your furnace to eat up additional energy and make it break down more rapidly.
Our suggestions for installing a new furnace filter:
- Flat filter: Once a month
- Pleated filter: Every three months
You may have to get a new filter more frequently if you have allergies or pets.
3. Get in Touch with Temperature Doctors Heating & Cooling, Inc When Your Furnace is Making Weird Noises
Some furnaces, often older ones, can be louder than others. But if you’re hearing extremely loud or strange noises, you should call a heating and cooling company like Temperature Doctors Heating & Cooling, Inc for furnace repair in Rockford.
Here are several noises to keep an eye out for, how to repair them and when to call a pro.
Furnace Making Gurgling or Bubbling Noise
This noise is more common with high-efficiency furnaces. That’s since they emit fumes in another way than older furnaces, and the process can produce some moisture. If your furnace is running into difficulties removing this water, it could make gurgling or bubbling sounds. You’ll require experienced support for this problem, since it may be caused by a blocked drain pipe or clogged drain pan.
Furnace Making Banging Noise
It’s not a positive sign when your furnace is making a banging sound. It might mean a few things.
Haven’t had maintenance done recently and your furnace is producing a banging sound when starting? Its burners could be dirty. Dirty burners can stall ignition, which leads gas to accumulate within your furnace.
All that built-up gas can cause a banging or booming noise when your furnace ultimately does ignite. But this is more than just a bothersome noise, since the built-up gas is erupting within your furnace. This can damage your furnace’s heat exchanger and make a life-threatening carbon monoxide leak.
If you’ve overlooked regular tune-ups for your furnace and you’re noticing this noise, give Temperature Doctors Heating & Cooling, Inc a call at (815)914-6197. Our heating professionals will get your furnace tuned up and ensure it’s operating properly.
Your ductwork can also create banging sounds when your furnace turns on, because the metal is expanding and contracting.
We suggest first inspecting your furnace’s air filter and replacing it if it’s dirty. Next, make sure you don’t have too many vents shut in your residence, as it can make air pressure uneven.
If neither of these steps fix the sound, your ductwork may be dirty or undersized, which will require assistance from a skilled HVAC technician.
Furnace Making Humming or Buzzing Noise
If your furnace is buzzing or humming, it’s a sign there’s an electrical issue. This is most frequently seen with a faltering blower fan motor, which will produce an annoying buzzing noise when your furnace switches on. It could also mean there’s trouble with the capacitor or transformer. All three of these issues need support from a skilled heating and cooling company like Temperature Doctors Heating & Cooling, Inc.
Furnace Making Knocking Noise
If your furnace is making knocking sounds, it’s usually a sign that an internal piece is dying. This might be anything from a bearing to a belt or the gas valve. It might also be a symptom that your burners need cleaning.
These troubles are often caught during yearly maintenance provided by a certified HVAC pro. So, while we’re at your home doing repairs, don’t forget to check with us about scheduling your maintenance appointment for next year.
Furnace Making Clicking Noise
A clicking sound could be the result of things: worn bearings, gas valve issues or ignition troubles. All these problems need pro help.
At Temperature Doctors Heating & Cooling, Inc, our specialists are here to help you unwind in peaceful, energy-efficient comfort. If your furnace is louder than it typically is or creating strange sounds, contact us at (815)914-6197 to book an appointment right away.