As your furnace starts up and prepares to heat your residence, it’s expected for it to produce some noise. These sounds, like the burners igniting and the blower whirring, are all part of the typical start-up steps.
But there are several steps you can do to make your furnace quieter this winter.
1. Schedule Regular Furnace Maintenance
Furnace maintenance is extremely important, as it keeps your manufacturer warranty valid. This helps defend you if something huge stops working in your furnace during your warranty time.
It can also help us uncover small issues that might make your furnace noisy. And potentially help you prevent a breakdown on the chilliest day of the year. The Indoor Air Quality Association reports that annual maintenance can decrease your chance of furnace breakdowns by up to 95%.
If little furnace troubles go unnoticed, they may result in trouble in the future. By uncovering these problems sooner, our pros can get your furnace repaired before heating season is in full swing.
And most important, professional cleaning and lubrication of your furnace’s moving components 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. Regularly Replace Your Furnace’s Air Filter
Your air filter helps keep your house’s air fresh and clean. When it turns too filthy, it can make your furnace turn on and off more than it should. Called short cycling, this can cause your furnace to consume additional energy and make it break down faster.
Our suggestions for installing a new furnace filter:
- Flat filter: Every month
- Pleated filter: Every three months
You could have to change your filter more frequently if you have allergies or pets.
3. Call TopTec When Your Furnace Is Creating Weird Noises
Some furnaces, especially older ones, can make more noise than others. But if you’re noticing very loud or strange noises, it may be time to get in touch with a heating and cooling company like TopTec for furnace repair in Libertyville.
Here are a couple of noises to be on the lookout for, how to solve them and when to call a specialist.
Furnace Making Gurgling or Bubbling Noise
This noise happens more frequently with high-efficiency furnaces. That’s due to the fact they emit fumes in another way than older furnaces, and the process can create some moisture. If your furnace is experiencing difficulties removing this water, it might make gurgling or bubbling sounds. You’ll need pro 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 positive thing when your furnace is making a banging sound. It can mean a few things.
Haven’t requested maintenance recently and your furnace is making a banging sound when starting? Its burners might be dirty. Dirty burners can hold up ignition, which causes gas to accumulate within your furnace.
All that built-up gas can make 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 break your furnace’s heat exchanger and cause a life-threatening carbon monoxide leak.
If you’ve ignored regular tune-ups for your furnace and you’re detecting this noise, give TopTec a ring at 847-362-0262. Our heating professionals will get your furnace tuned up and ensure it’s working correctly.
Your ductwork can also make banging sounds when your furnace starts, as the metal is expanding and contracting.
We recommend first checking your furnace’s air filter and getting a new one if it’s clogged. Next, ensure you don’t have too many vents closed in your home, as it can make air pressure uneven.
If neither of these steps repair the problem, your ductwork might be dirty or undersized, which will be a need for assistance from a pro 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 dying blower fan motor, which will create an annoying buzzing noise when your furnace starts. It can also mean there’s a problem with the capacitor or transformer. All three of these problems need help from an experienced heating and cooling company like TopTec.
Furnace Making Knocking Noise
If your furnace is making knocking sounds, it’s usually a symptom that an internal part is dying. This can be anything from a bearing to a belt or the gas valve. It may also be an indication that your burners are dirty.
These troubles are usually uncovered during annual maintenance performed by a certified HVAC technician. So, while we’re at your home performing repairs, don’t forget to ask us about booking your maintenance appointment for the future.
Furnace Making Clicking Noise
A clicking sound could be the result of problems: worn bearings, gas valve troubles or ignition problems. All these problems need skilled support.
At TopTec, our experts are here to help you unwind in peaceful, energy-efficient comfort. If your furnace is louder than it usually is or producing odd sounds, contact us at 847-362-0262 to get an appointment today.