As your furnace starts up and gets ready to heat your house, it’s typical for it to create some noise. These sounds, like the burners firing up and the blower running, are all part of the normal start-up process.

But there are a few things you can do to make your furnace less noisy this winter.

1. Schedule Regular Furnace Maintenance

Furnace maintenance is extremely important, because it keeps your manufacturer warranty valid. This helps protect you if something major stops working in your furnace during your warranty range.

It can also help our pros discover small issues that might make your furnace loud. And potentially help you sidestep a breakdown on the chilliest day of the year. The Indoor Air Quality Association reports that regular maintenance can lower your likelihood of furnace meltdowns by up to 95%.

If minor furnace troubles go unnoticed, they may lead to trouble in the future. By unearthing these troubles sooner, our techs can get your furnace repaired before heating season is underway.

And most essential, professional cleaning and lubrication of your furnace’s moving components can help make it more efficient. A correctly maintained furnace could save up to 30% on your energy costs, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

2. Regularly Replace Your Furnace’s Air Filter

Your air filter helps keep your house’s air fresh and clean. When it becomes too dirty, it can make your furnace turn on and off more than it should. Known as short cycling, this can cause your furnace to eat up additional energy and make it wear out faster.

Our recommendations for installing a new furnace filter:

  • Flat filter: Monthly
  • Pleated filter: Every three months

You could have to get a new filter more regularly if you have allergies or pets.

3. Get in Touch with Bishop Heating & Air Conditioning When Your Furnace Is Producing Strange Noises

Some furnaces, particularly older ones, might be louder than others. But if you’re detecting exceedingly loud or strange noises, you might need to contact a heating and cooling company like Bishop Heating & Air Conditioning for furnace repair in Bishop.

Here are a few noises to keep an eye out for, how to take care of them and when to contact a pro.

Furnace Making Gurgling or Bubbling Noise

This noise occurs more commonly with high-efficiency furnaces. That’s because they exhaust fumes dissimilarly than older furnaces, and the process can create some moisture. If your furnace is experiencing difficulties removing this water, it may make gurgling or bubbling sounds. You’ll want experienced support for this trouble, since it may 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 several things.

Haven’t requested maintenance recently and your furnace is making a banging sound when starting? Its burners might be dirty. Dirty burners can stall ignition, which results in gas accumulating inside your furnace.

All that increased gas can cause a banging or booming noise when your furnace eventually does ignite. But this is more than only an irritating noise, because the built-up gas is erupting within your furnace. This can damage your furnace’s heat exchanger and create a deadly carbon monoxide leak.

If you’ve overlooked regular service for your furnace and you’re hearing this noise, give Bishop Heating & Air Conditioning a ring at 760-784-9034. Our heating professionals will get your furnace tuned up and double-check it’s running correctly.

Your ductwork can also create banging sounds when your furnace starts, as the metal is expanding and contracting.

We advise first inspecting your furnace’s air filter and getting a new one if it’s clogged. Next, make sure you don’t have too many vents sealed in your house, as it can force air pressure out of balance.

If neither of these steps repair the sound, your ductwork could be dirty or undersized, which will require assistance from a skilled HVAC specialist.

Furnace Making Humming or Buzzing Noise

If your furnace is buzzing or humming, it’s a sign there’s electrical troubles. This is most frequently seen with a sputtering blower fan motor, which will make a loud buzzing noise when your furnace switches on. It might also mean there’s a problem with the capacitor or transformer. All three of these troubles 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 typically a symptom that an internal part is breaking down. This might 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 troubles are typically uncovered during regular maintenance done by a certified HVAC professional. So, while we’re at your home 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 can be the result of problems: worn bearings, gas valve problems or ignition problems. All these troubles need specialized help.

At Bishop Heating & Air Conditioning, our experts are here to help you unwind in peaceful, energy-efficient comfort. If your furnace is louder than normal or producing strange sounds, contact us at 760-784-9034 to request an appointment right away.