As your furnace switches on and gets ready to heat your residence, it’s common for it to create some noise. These sounds, including the burners lighting 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 less noisy this winter.
1. Request Yearly Furnace Maintenance
Furnace maintenance is extremely important, because 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 us spot small issues that could make your furnace noisy. And possibly help you prevent a meltdown on the chilliest day of the year. The Indoor Air Quality Association reports that routine maintenance can lower your chance of furnace malfunctions by up to 95%.
If minor furnace troubles go ignored, they may lead to trouble in the future. By unearthing these troubles sooner, our techs can get your furnace fixed before heating season is at its peak.
And most critical, specialized 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 costs, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
2. Routinely Put in a New Furnace’s Air Filter
Your air filter helps keep your residence’s air fresh and clean. When it becomes too dirty, it can make your furnace turn on and off more than it should. Referred to as short cycling, this can cause your furnace to eat up additional fuel and make it break down faster.
Our recommendations for installing a new furnace filter:
- Flat filter: Every month
- Pleated filter: Every three months
You could have to replace your filter more frequently if you have allergies or pets.
3. Contact Kohles & Bach Heating & Cooling When Your Furnace Is Creating Strange Noises
Some furnaces, especially older ones, can make more noise than others. But if you’re detecting extremely loud or strange noises, you might need to contact a heating and cooling company like Kohles & Bach Heating & Cooling for furnace repair in Des Moines.
Here are several noises to be on the lookout for, how to solve them and when to contact a pro.
Furnace Making Gurgling or Bubbling Noise
This noise happens more frequently with high-efficiency furnaces. That’s due to the fact they emit fumes differently than older furnaces, and the process can produce some moisture. If your furnace is experiencing difficulties draining this water, it could make gurgling or bubbling sounds. You’ll require experienced 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 might mean several things.
Haven’t had maintenance done recently and your furnace is making a banging sound when beginning? Its burners might be dirty. Dirty burners can delay ignition, which results in gas accumulating in your furnace.
All that accumulated gas can create a banging or booming racket when your furnace ultimately does ignite. But this is more than merely an irritating noise, because the increased gas is igniting within your furnace. This can damage your furnace’s heat exchanger and create a life-threatening carbon monoxide leak.
If you’ve overlooked regular service for your furnace and you’re detecting this noise, give Kohles & Bach Heating & Cooling a call at 515-278-2900. Our heating pros will get your furnace tuned up and double-check it’s operating correctly.
Your ductwork can also create banging sounds when your furnace switches on, since the metal is expanding and contracting.
We advise first inspecting your furnace’s air filter and replacing it if it’s filthy. Next, make sure you don’t have too many vents sealed in your residence, as it can throw off air pressure.
If neither of these methods repair the issue, your ductwork may be dirty or undersized, which will call for 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 an electrical problem. This is most usually seen with a sputtering blower fan motor, which will create a loud buzzing noise when your furnace starts. It can also mean there’s trouble with the capacitor or transformer. All three of these issues need help from an experienced heating and cooling company like Kohles & Bach 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 can be anything from a bearing to a belt or the gas valve. It can also be a symptom that your burners are dirty.
These troubles are usually uncovered during regular maintenance performed by a certified HVAC tech. So, while we’re at your house performing repairs, don’t forget to ask us about scheduling your maintenance appointment for next year.
Furnace Making Clicking Noise
A clicking sound can be the result of problems: worn bearings, gas valve issues or ignition problems. All these troubles need specialized support.
At Kohles & Bach Heating & Cooling, our experts are here to help you enjoy peaceful, energy-efficient comfort. If your furnace is louder than it typically is or producing odd sounds, contact us at 515-278-2900 to schedule an appointment today.