As your furnace starts up and gets ready to add warmth to your residence, it’s typical for it to produce some noise. These sounds, including the burners lighting and the blower operating, are all part of the usual start-up process.
But there are a few things you can do to make your furnace less noisy this winter.
1. Request Yearly Furnace Maintenance
Furnace maintenance is extremely important, because it keeps your manufacturer warranty in place. This helps shield you if something huge stops working in your furnace during your warranty time.
It can also help us find small issues that could make your furnace annoying. And possibly help you prevent a breakdown on the coldest day of the year. The Indoor Air Quality Association reports that regular maintenance can decrease your likelihood of furnace repairs by up to 95%.
If small furnace troubles go undetected, they may lead to trouble down the road. By unearthing these issues 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 correctly maintained furnace could save up to 30% on your gas bills, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
2. Routinely Put in a New Furnace’s Air Filter
Your air filter helps keep your house’s air fresh and clean. When it turns too dirty, it can make your furnace turn on and off too often. Called short cycling, this can cause your furnace to use additional fuel and make it wear out faster.
Our advice for replacing your furnace filter:
- Flat filter: Every month
- Pleated filter: Every three months
You could have to install a new filter more frequently if you have allergies or pets.
3. Call Scott Temperature When Your Furnace Is Making Odd Noises
Some furnaces, especially older ones, may be louder than others. But if you’re hearing exceedingly loud or odd noises, it may be time to call a heating and cooling company like Scott Temperature for furnace repair in Lawrence.
Here are a few noises to keep an eye out for, how to take care of them and when to call a professional.
Furnace Making Gurgling or Bubbling Noise
This noise is more common with high-efficiency furnaces. That’s since they emit fumes differently than older furnaces, and the process can make some moisture. If your furnace is running into difficulties discharging this water, it could make gurgling or bubbling sounds. You’ll need professional} support for this problem, since it may be created by a blocked drain pipe or clogged drain pan.
Furnace Making Banging Noise
It’s not a positive thing when your furnace is making a banging sound. It might mean a couple of things.
Haven’t scheduled maintenance recently and your furnace is creating a banging sound when beginning? Its burners might be dirty. Dirty burners can delay ignition, which causes gas to accumulate inside your furnace.
All that built-up gas can create a banging or booming sound when your furnace ultimately} does ignite. But this is more than just an irritating noise, because the accumulated gas is exploding within your furnace. This can crack your furnace’s heat exchanger and create a deadly carbon monoxide leak.
If you’ve neglected regular tune-ups for your furnace and you’re noticing this noise, give Scott Temperature a ring at 785-269-0465. Our heating professionals will get your furnace tuned up and double-check it’s operating correctly.
Your ductwork can also create banging sounds when your furnace switches on, as the metal is expanding and contracting.
We suggest first inspecting your furnace’s air filter and installing a new one if it’s filthy. Next, ensure you don’t have too many vents shut in your home, as it can make air pressure uneven.
If neither of these methods repair the problem, your ductwork could be dirty or undersized, which will be a need for assistance from a pro HVAC tech.
Furnace Making Humming or Buzzing Noise
If your furnace is buzzing or humming, it’s a symptom there’s an electrical problem. This is most often seen with a dying blower fan motor, which will create a loud buzzing noise when your furnace turns on. It might also mean there’s a problem with the capacitor or transformer. All three of these issues need support from a skilled heating and cooling company like Scott Temperature.
Furnace Making Knocking Noise
If your furnace is making knocking sounds, it’s often a symptom that an internal component is going out. This may be anything from a bearing to a belt or the gas valve. It might also be an indication that your burners need to be cleaned.
These issues are frequently uncovered during annual maintenance done by a certified HVAC tech. So, while we’re at your house performing repairs, don’t forget to ask us about scheduling your maintenance appointment for the future.
Furnace Making Clicking Noise
A clicking sound can be the result of issues: worn bearings, gas valve issues or ignition problems. All these problems need pro assistance.
At Scott Temperature, our professionals are here to help you unwind in peaceful, energy-efficient comfort. If your furnace is louder than normal or producing odd sounds, contact us at 785-269-0465 to get an appointment today.