As your furnace starts up and gets ready to add warmth to your house, it’s normal for it to make some noise. These sounds, like the burners igniting and the blower running, are all part of the typical start-up process.
But there are a few things you can do to make your furnace less noisy this winter.
1. Book Regular Furnace Maintenance
Furnace maintenance is extremely important, because it keeps your manufacturer warranty in place. This helps defend you if something huge stops working in your furnace during your warranty period.
It can also help us uncover minor issues that could make your furnace noisy. And possibly help you sidestep a breakdown on the most frigid day of the year. The Indoor Air Quality Association reports that routine maintenance can decrease your chance of furnace malfunctions by up to 95%.
If minor furnace issues go undetected, they may result in trouble down the road. By discovering these issues sooner, our professionals can get your furnace repaired before heating season is at its peak.
And most essential, professional cleaning and lubrication of your furnace’s moving pieces can help make it more efficient. A properly maintained furnace could save up to 30% on your heating bills, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
2. Routinely Replace Your Furnace’s Air Filter
Your air filter helps keep your residence’s air fresh and clean. When it gets too clogged, it can make your furnace turn on and off more than it should. Known as short cycling, this can cause your furnace to consume additional fuel and make it break down faster.
Our advice for installing a new 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. Contact Hix Air Conditioning Service, Inc. When Your Furnace Is Making Weird Noises
Some furnaces, particularly older ones, could make more noise than others. But if you’re hearing very loud or weird noises, you might need to call a heating and cooling company like Hix Air Conditioning Service, Inc. for furnace repair in Muskogee.
Here are several noises to be on the lookout for, how to solve them and when to call a pro.
Furnace Making Gurgling or Bubbling Noise
This noise is more common with high-efficiency furnaces. That’s because they exhaust fumes dissimilarly than older furnaces, and the process can produce some moisture. If your furnace is running into difficulties draining this water, it could make gurgling or bubbling sounds. You’ll require pro 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 great thing when your furnace is making a banging sound. It can mean a few things.
Haven’t had maintenance done recently and your furnace is producing a banging sound when turning on? Its burners could be dirty. Dirty burners can stall ignition, which results in gas accumulating in your furnace.
All that increased gas can make a banging or booming racket when your furnace ultimately does ignite. But this is more than merely an irritating noise, since the increased gas is exploding 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 Hix Air Conditioning Service, Inc. a ring at 918-682-8238. Our heating professionals will get your furnace tuned up and double-check it’s running correctly.
Your ductwork can also produce banging sounds when your furnace starts, as the metal is expanding and contracting.
We suggest first inspecting your furnace’s air filter and getting a new one if it’s filthy. Next, ensure you don’t have too many vents closed in your residence, as it can make air pressure uneven.
If neither of these things repair the issue, your ductwork could be dirty or undersized, which will be a need for assistance from a professional HVAC technician.
Furnace Making Humming or Buzzing Noise
If your furnace is buzzing or humming, it’s a flag there’s electrical troubles. This is most often seen with a sputtering blower fan motor, which will create an irritating buzzing noise when your furnace begins to heat. It can also mean there’s trouble with the capacitor or transformer. All three of these problems need help from a professional heating and cooling company like Hix Air Conditioning Service, Inc..
Furnace Making Knocking Noise
If your furnace is making knocking sounds, it’s frequently a symptom that an internal piece is going out. This can be anything from a bearing to a belt or the gas valve. It could also be a sign that your burners need to be cleaned.
These issues are frequently uncovered during regular maintenance provided by a certified HVAC pro. So, while we’re at your house working on repairs, don’t forget to inquire about requesting your maintenance appointment for the upcoming year.
Furnace Making Clicking Noise
A clicking sound might be the result of issues: worn bearings, gas valve troubles or ignition troubles. All these troubles need specialized assistance.
At Hix Air Conditioning Service, Inc., our professionals are here to help you relax in peaceful, energy-efficient comfort. If your furnace is louder than it usually is or producing weird sounds, contact us at 918-682-8238 to request an appointment today.