As your furnace switches on and gets ready to heat your house, it’s expected for it to make some noise. These sounds, including the burners lighting and the blower running, are all part of the usual start-up procedures.
But there are a couple of things you can do to make your furnace run more quietly this winter.
1. Schedule Regular Furnace Maintenance
Furnace maintenance is very important, because it keeps your manufacturer warranty valid. This helps protect you if something major stops working in your furnace during your warranty time.
It can also help our pros discover minor troubles that can make your furnace annoying. And potentially help you avoid a malfunction on the most frigid day of the year. The Indoor Air Quality Association reports that routine maintenance can lower your probability of furnace meltdowns by up to 95%.
If little furnace troubles go undetected, they could lead to a malfunction later on. By unearthing these problems in advance, our technicians can get your furnace taken care of before heating season begins.
And, most essential, pro 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 gas bills, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
2. Regularly Replace Your Furnace’s Air Filter
Your air filter helps keep your residence’s air fresh and clean. When it becomes too filthy, 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 gas and make it break down faster.
Our suggestions for installing a new furnace filter:
- Flat filter: Monthly
- Pleated filter: Every three months
You may have to get a new filter more regularly if you have allergies or pets.
3. Get in Touch with Van Haaften Plumbing & Heating When Your Furnace is Creating Strange Noises
Some furnaces, often older ones, might be louder than others. But if you’re detecting very loud or odd noises, you might need to get in touch with a heating and cooling company like Van Haaften Plumbing & Heating for furnace repair in Pella.
Here are a couple of noises to keep an eye out for, how to solve them and when to get in touch with a professional.
Furnace Making Gurgling or Bubbling Noise
This noise occurs more commonly with high-efficiency furnaces. That’s due to the fact they discharge fumes in another way than older furnaces, and the process can produce some moisture. If your furnace is experiencing troubles removing this water, it can make gurgling or bubbling sounds. You’ll need experienced support for this trouble, since it may be the result of by a blocked drain pipe or clogged drain pan.
Furnace Making Banging Noise
It’s not a positive sign when your furnace is making a banging sound. It may mean a few things.
Haven’t scheduled maintenance recently and your furnace is creating a banging sound when beginning? Its burners can be dirty. Dirty burners can hold up ignition, which results in gas accumulating inside your furnace.
All that increased gas can cause a banging or booming noise when your furnace finally does ignite. But this is more than just an annoying noise, because the accumulated gas is erupting within your furnace. This can crack your furnace’s heat exchanger and cause a dangerous carbon monoxide leak.
If you’ve overlooked regular service for your furnace and you’re detecting this noise, give Van Haaften Plumbing & Heating a ring at 641-628-3621. Our heating professionals will get your furnace tuned up and ensure it’s operating accurately.
Your ductwork can also create banging sounds when your furnace turns on, as the metal is expanding and contracting.
We advise first checking your furnace’s air filter and replacing it if it’s filthy. Next, double-check you don’t have too many vents closed in your home, as it can throw off air pressure.
If neither of these methods repair the issue, your ductwork may be dirty or undersized, which will require assistance from a skilled HVAC tech.
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 faltering blower fan motor, which will produce an annoying buzzing noise when your furnace starts. It may also mean there’s a problem with the capacitor or transformer. All three of these troubles call for support from an experienced heating and cooling company like Van Haaften Plumbing & Heating.
Furnace Making Knocking Noise
If your furnace is making knocking sounds, it’s frequently a sign that an internal part 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 problems are often unearthed during yearly maintenance provided by a certified HVAC tech. So, while we’re at your house working on repairs, don’t forget to inquire about booking your maintenance appointment for the upcoming year.
Furnace Making Clicking Noise
A clicking sound can mean a couple of things: worn bearings, gas valve problems or ignition issues. All these troubles call for professional assistance.
At Van Haaften Plumbing & Heating, our specialists are here to help you enjoy peaceful, energy-efficient comfort. If your furnace is louder than it usually is or producing strange sounds, contact us at 641-628-3621 to request an appointment right away.