As your furnace switches on and prepares to warm up your residence, it’s normal for it to create some noise. These sounds, including the burners igniting and the blower running, are all part of the typical start-up procedures.

But there are several steps you can do to make your furnace quieter this winter.

1. Schedule Yearly Furnace Maintenance

Furnace maintenance is extremely important, because it keeps your manufacturer warranty valid. This helps shield you if something major stops working in your furnace during your warranty range.

It can also help our pros discover minor issues that might make your furnace loud. And possibly help you sidestep a meltdown on the chilliest day of the year. The Indoor Air Quality Association reports that regular maintenance can reduce your likelihood of furnace meltdowns by up to 95%.

If small furnace troubles go undetected, they may cause trouble down the road. By finding these problems sooner, our pros can get your furnace taken care of before heating season is underway.

And most important, 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 expenses, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

2. Routinely Change Your Furnace’s Air Filter

Your air filter helps keep your house’s air fresh and clean. When it becomes too clogged, it can make your furnace turn on and off too often. Known as short cycling, this can cause your furnace to eat up additional energy and make it stop working faster.

Our advice for replacing your furnace filter:

  • Flat filter: Monthly
  • Pleated filter: Every three months

You could have to replace your filter more often if you have allergies or pets.

3. Get in Touch with Precision Mechanical When Your Furnace Is Producing Strange Noises

Some furnaces, especially older ones, could be louder than others. But if you’re noticing exceedingly loud or weird noises, it may be time to call a heating and cooling company like Precision Mechanical for furnace repair in Rapid City.

Here are several noises to be looking for, how to solve them and when to contact a pro.

Furnace Making Gurgling or Bubbling Noise

This noise is more common with high-efficiency furnaces. That’s since they exhaust fumes dissimilarly than older furnaces, and the process can produce some moisture. If your furnace is experiencing difficulties removing this water, it could make gurgling or bubbling sounds. You’ll want experienced support for this trouble, since it could 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 few things.

Haven’t had maintenance done recently and your furnace is producing a banging sound when turning on? Its burners may be dirty. Dirty burners can stall ignition, which results in gas accumulating within your furnace.

All that accumulated gas can create a banging or booming sound when your furnace finally does ignite. But this is more than just an irritating noise, since the built-up gas is exploding within your furnace. This can crack your furnace’s heat exchanger and make a dangerous carbon monoxide leak.

If you’ve ignored regular tune-ups for your furnace and you’re detecting this noise, give Precision Mechanical a shout at 605-206-3766. Our heating specialists will get your furnace tuned up and double-check it’s operating correctly.

Your ductwork can also produce banging sounds when your furnace starts, because the metal is expanding and contracting.

We advise first checking your furnace’s air filter and installing a new one if it’s clogged. Next, make sure you don’t have too many vents closed in your home, as it can throw off air pressure.

If neither of these things repair the problem, your ductwork might be dirty or undersized, which will be a need for assistance from a skilled HVAC specialist.

Furnace Making Humming or Buzzing Noise

If your furnace is buzzing or humming, it’s a sign there’s electrical troubles. This is most frequently seen with a sputtering blower fan motor, which will produce an irritating buzzing noise when your furnace turns on. It can also mean there’s a problem with the capacitor or transformer. All three of these problems need assistance from a professional heating and cooling company like Precision Mechanical.

Furnace Making Knocking Noise

If your furnace is making knocking sounds, it’s usually a symptom that an internal part is worn out. This could be anything from a bearing to a belt or the gas valve. It can also be a symptom that your burners need to be cleaned.

These issues are often uncovered during yearly maintenance done by a certified HVAC professional. So, while we’re at your house doing repairs, don’t forget to inquire about booking 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 problems need specialized help.

At Precision Mechanical, our experts are here to help you relax in peaceful, energy-efficient comfort. If your furnace is louder than normal or producing odd sounds, contact us at 605-206-3766 to schedule an appointment right away.