As your furnace switches on and gets ready to warm up your home, it’s normal for it to make some noise. These sounds, such as the burners lighting and the blower operating, are all part of the typical start-up process.
But there are a couple of steps you can do to make your furnace less noisy this winter.
1. Request Annual Furnace Maintenance
Furnace maintenance is very important, as it keeps your manufacturer warranty valid. This helps protect you if something big malfunctions in your furnace during your warranty time.
It can also help us find small issues that could make your furnace noisy. And maybe help you sidestep a breakdown on the chilliest day of the year. The Indoor Air Quality Association reports that regular maintenance can lower your chance of furnace malfunctions by up to 95%.
If minor furnace problems are left ignored, they can lead to trouble later on. By discovering these problems in advance, our techs can get your furnace taken care of before heating season is in full swing.
And, most important, professional cleaning and lubrication of your furnace’s moving parts can help make it more efficient. A well- maintained furnace could save up to 30% on your heating expenses, 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 gets 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 more fuel and make it wear out more rapidly.
Our advice for replacing your furnace filter:
- Flat filter: Monthly
- Pleated filter: Every three months
You may have to get a new filter more frequently if you have allergies or pets.
3. Call Bishop Heating & Air Conditioning When Your Furnace is Making Odd Noises
Some furnaces, particularly older ones, can be noisier than others. But if you’re hearing very loud or odd noises, you might need to call a heating and cooling company like Bishop Heating & Air Conditioning for furnace repair in Bishop.
Here are a few noises to be on the lookout for, how to fix them and when to call a professional.
Furnace Making Gurgling or Bubbling Noise
This noise occurs more commonly with high-efficiency furnaces. That’s due to the fact they exhaust fumes dissimilarly older furnaces, and the process can create some moisture. If your furnace is running into difficulties removing this water, it could make gurgling or bubbling sounds. You’ll need experienced help for this issue, since it could be created by a blocked drain pipe or clogged drain pan.
Furnace Making Banging Noise
It’s not a great sign when your furnace is making a banging sound. It might mean several things.
Haven’t requested maintenance recently and your furnace is producing a banging sound when starting? Its burners may be dirty. Dirty burners can stall ignition, which results in gas accumulating in your furnace.
All that built-up gas can create a banging or booming sound when your furnace finally does ignite. But this is more than only an irritating noise, as the accumulated gas is erupting inside your furnace. This can crack your furnace’s heat exchanger and create a deadly carbon monoxide leak.
If you’ve overlooked yearly tune-ups for your furnace and you’re hearing this noise, give Bishop Heating & Air Conditioning a call at 760-784-9034. Our heating professionals will get your furnace tuned up and make sure it’s operating correctly.
Your ductwork can also produce banging sounds when your furnace turns on, as the metal is expanding and contracting.
We advise first inspecting your furnace’s air filter and replacing it if it’s clogged. Next, make sure you don’t have too many vents sealed in your residence, as it can throw off air pressure.
If neither of these things repair the problem, your ductwork may be dirty or undersized, which will require assistance from a pro HVAC specialist.
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 dying blower fan motor, which will create an irritating buzzing noise when your furnace switches on. It might also mean there’s a problem with the capacitor or transformer. All three of these problems need assistance from an experienced heating and cooling company like Bishop Heating & Air Conditioning.
Furnace Making Knocking Noise
If your furnace is making knocking sounds, it’s often a symptom that an internal component is worn out. This might be anything from a bearing to a belt or the gas valve. It could also be a sign that your burners are dirty.
These issues are often unearthed during regular maintenance done by a certified HVAC pro. So, while we’re at your house working on repairs, don’t forget to check with us about booking your maintenance appointment for the upcoming year.
Furnace Making Clicking Noise
A clicking sound might be the result of things: worn bearings, gas valve issues or ignition issues. All these problems call for pro support.
At Bishop Heating & Air Conditioning, our specialists are here to help you relax in tranquil, energy-efficient comfort. If your furnace is louder than normal or making weird sounds, contact us at 760-784-9034 to get an appointment now.