As your furnace starts up and begins to add warmth to your house, it’s common for it to produce some noise. These sounds, such as the burners lighting and the blower running, are all part of the usual start-up process.
But there are several steps you can do to make your furnace run more quietly this winter.
1. Schedule Annual Furnace Maintenance
Furnace maintenance is highly important, because it keeps your manufacturer warranty in place. This helps shield you if something major stops working in your furnace during your warranty period.
It can also help our pros find little issues that could make your furnace loud. And maybe help you sidestep a meltdown on the most frigid day of the year. The Indoor Air Quality Association reports that regular maintenance can reduce your chance of furnace malfunctions by up to 95%.
If minor furnace problems go unnoticed, they may lead to trouble down the road. By uncovering these problems sooner, our techs can get your furnace fixed before heating season is in full swing.
And most essential, professional 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 utility bills, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
2. Routinely Install a New Furnace’s Air Filter
Your air filter helps keep your home’s air fresh and clean. When it becomes 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 gas and make it wear out faster.
Our advice for changing your furnace filter:
- Flat filter: Monthly
- Pleated filter: Every three months
You may have to install a new filter more regularly if you have allergies or pets.
3. Call Bishop Heating & Air Conditioning When Your Furnace Is Making Weird Noises
Some furnaces, especially older ones, could make more noise than others. But if you’re hearing extremely loud or strange noises, it may be time 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 get in touch with a professional.
Furnace Making Gurgling or Bubbling Noise
This noise is more common with high-efficiency furnaces. That’s due to the fact they discharge fumes dissimilarly than older furnaces, and the process can produce some moisture. If your furnace is having difficulties draining this water, it may make gurgling or bubbling sounds. You’ll want professional} support for this issue, 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 several things.
Haven’t scheduled maintenance recently and your furnace is making a banging sound when beginning? Its burners might be dirty. Dirty burners can delay ignition, which leads gas to accumulate inside your furnace.
All that increased gas can cause a banging or booming sound when your furnace eventually} does ignite. But this is more than merely an irritating noise, since the increased gas is exploding within your furnace. This can crack your furnace’s heat exchanger and cause a deadly carbon monoxide leak.
If you’ve overlooked regular maintenance for your furnace and you’re hearing this noise, give Bishop Heating & Air Conditioning a call at 760-784-9034. Our heating pros will get your furnace tuned up and double-check it’s operating correctly.
Your ductwork can also produce banging sounds when your furnace switches on, since the metal is expanding and contracting.
We recommend first inspecting your furnace’s air filter and installing a new one if it’s dirty. Next, double-check you don’t have too many vents sealed in your house, as it can force air pressure out of balance.
If neither of these methods repair the sound, your ductwork might 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 symptom there’s electrical troubles. This is most often seen with a dying blower fan motor, which will make an annoying buzzing noise when your furnace starts. It might also mean there’s an issue with the capacitor or transformer. All three of these issues need support from a professional heating and cooling company like Bishop Heating & Air Conditioning.
Furnace Making Knocking Noise
If your furnace is making knocking sounds, it’s usually a symptom that an internal piece is breaking down. This may be anything from a bearing to a belt or the gas valve. It can also be a sign that your burners are dirty.
These troubles are often uncovered during regular maintenance provided by a certified HVAC pro. So, while we’re at your residence working on repairs, don’t forget to ask us about booking your maintenance appointment for the future.
Furnace Making Clicking Noise
A clicking sound can be the result of things: worn bearings, gas valve issues or ignition problems. All these troubles need specialized assistance.
At Bishop Heating & Air Conditioning, our professionals 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 760-784-9034 to request an appointment right away.