As your furnace starts up and prepares to warm up your residence, it’s normal for it to create some noise. These sounds, such as the burners igniting and the blower running, are all part of the typical start-up steps.
But there are a few steps you can do to make your furnace quieter this winter.
1. Book Regular Furnace Maintenance
Furnace maintenance is highly important, since it keeps your manufacturer warranty ongoing. This helps protect you if something huge stops working in your furnace during your warranty time.
It can also help our professionals discover minor issues that could make your furnace noisy. And possibly help you sidestep a malfunction on the coldest day of the year. The Indoor Air Quality Association reports that annual maintenance can decrease your likelihood of furnace meltdowns by up to 95%.
If minor furnace problems go ignored, they may lead to trouble down the road. By unearthing these problems sooner, our technicians can get your furnace repaired before heating season is in full swing.
And most essential, specialized cleaning and lubrication of your furnace’s moving parts can help make it more efficient. A properly maintained furnace could save up to 30% on your utility bills, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
2. Regularly Put in a New Furnace’s Air Filter
Your air filter helps keep your residence’s air fresh and clean. When it gets too filthy, 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 fuel and make it wear out faster.
Our recommendations for replacing your furnace filter:
- Flat filter: Once a month
- Pleated filter: Every three months
You might have to replace your filter more frequently if you have allergies or pets.
3. Contact Paniccia Heating & Cooling When Your Furnace Is Producing Odd Noises
Some furnaces, especially older ones, may be noisier than others. But if you’re noticing exceedingly loud or strange noises, you should contact a heating and cooling company like Paniccia Heating & Cooling for furnace repair in Michigan City.
Here are a couple of noises to keep an eye out for, how to solve them and when to call a pro.
Furnace Making Gurgling or Bubbling Noise
This noise happens more frequently with high-efficiency furnaces. That’s because they exhaust fumes differently than older furnaces, and the process can create some moisture. If your furnace is running into difficulties draining this water, it may make gurgling or bubbling sounds. You’ll want 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 good thing when your furnace is making a banging sound. It may mean a couple of things.
Haven’t scheduled maintenance recently and your furnace is producing a banging sound when turning on? Its burners might be dirty. Dirty burners can stall ignition, which leads gas to accumulate inside your furnace.
All that built-up gas can create 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 igniting within your furnace. This can break your furnace’s heat exchanger and cause a dangerous carbon monoxide leak.
If you’ve neglected regular service for your furnace and you’re hearing this noise, give Paniccia Heating & Cooling a ring at 219-872-2198. Our heating pros will get your furnace tuned up and ensure it’s running correctly.
Your ductwork can also create banging sounds when your furnace starts, because the metal is expanding and contracting.
We advise first looking at your furnace’s air filter and getting a new one if it’s dirty. 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 things repair the problem, your ductwork may 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 flag there’s an electrical problem. This is most frequently seen with a dying blower fan motor, which will produce an annoying buzzing noise when your furnace starts. It could also mean there’s a problem with the capacitor or transformer. All three of these troubles need help from a skilled heating and cooling company like Paniccia Heating & Cooling.
Furnace Making Knocking Noise
If your furnace is making knocking sounds, it’s often a symptom that an internal component is dying. This might be anything from a bearing to a belt or the gas valve. It could also be an indication that your burners need to be cleaned.
These problems are often uncovered during regular maintenance done by a certified HVAC pro. So, while we’re at your house doing 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 troubles: worn bearings, gas valve issues or ignition troubles. All these problems need specialized support.
At Paniccia Heating & Cooling, our professionals are here to help you relax in peaceful, energy-efficient comfort. If your furnace is louder than it typically is or producing strange sounds, contact us at 219-872-2198 to request an appointment today.