As your furnace starts up and begins to warm up your home, it’s common for it to produce some noise. These sounds, like the burners lighting and the blower running, are all part of the normal start-up procedures.
But there are a couple of approaches you can do to make your furnace run more quietly this winter.
1. Schedule Regular Furnace Maintenance
Furnace maintenance is very important, since 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 find small issues that could make your furnace noisy. And possibly help you avoid a breakdown on the chilliest day of the year. The Indoor Air Quality Association reports that routine maintenance can reduce your probability of furnace malfunctions by up to 95%.
If small furnace troubles go ignored, they may lead to trouble down the road. By uncovering these troubles sooner, our techs can get your furnace fixed before heating season begins.
And most critical, pro cleaning and lubrication of your furnace’s moving pieces can help make it more efficient. A correctly maintained furnace could save up to 30% on your energy costs, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
2. Regularly Change Your Furnace’s Air Filter
Your air filter helps keep your home’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 use additional energy and make it stop working faster.
Our recommendations for installing a new furnace filter:
- Flat filter: Monthly
- Pleated filter: Every three months
You may have to get a new filter more often if you have allergies or pets.
3. Call Precision Mechanical When Your Furnace Is Making Strange Noises
Some furnaces, often older ones, could be noisier than others. But if you’re hearing exceedingly loud or weird noises, you should contact 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 get in touch with a specialist.
Furnace Making Gurgling or Bubbling Noise
This noise is more common with high-efficiency furnaces. That’s because they discharge fumes in another way than older furnaces, and the process can produce some moisture. If your furnace is running into difficulties discharging this water, it could make gurgling or bubbling sounds. You’ll require pro} support for this problem, since it might 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 might mean several things.
Haven’t had maintenance done recently and your furnace is producing a banging sound when beginning? Its burners could be dirty. Dirty burners can delay ignition, which causes gas to accumulate inside your furnace.
All that accumulated gas can cause a banging or booming sound when your furnace eventually} does ignite. But this is more than only an irritating noise, because the increased gas is exploding within your furnace. This can damage your furnace’s heat exchanger and make a dangerous carbon monoxide leak.
If you’ve forgotten regular maintenance for your furnace and you’re hearing this noise, give Precision Mechanical a shout at 605-206-3766. Our heating pros will get your furnace tuned up and make sure it’s operating correctly.
Your ductwork can also create 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 dirty. Next, make sure you don’t have too many vents closed in your house, as it can force air pressure out of balance.
If neither of these steps repair the sound, your ductwork might be dirty or undersized, which will be a need for assistance from a professional HVAC tech.
Furnace Making Humming or Buzzing Noise
If your furnace is buzzing or humming, it’s a flag there’s an electrical issue. This is most usually seen with a dying blower fan motor, which will create an annoying buzzing noise when your furnace begins to heat. It may also mean there’s trouble with the capacitor or transformer. All three of these problems need support from a professional heating and cooling company like Precision Mechanical.
Furnace Making Knocking Noise
If your furnace is making knocking sounds, it’s often a symptom that an internal piece is going out. This could be anything from a bearing to a belt or the gas valve. It could also be a symptom that your burners are dirty.
These issues are usually uncovered during annual maintenance provided by a certified HVAC pro. So, while we’re at your residence performing repairs, don’t forget to inquire about booking your maintenance appointment for next year.
Furnace Making Clicking Noise
A clicking sound could be the result of issues: worn bearings, gas valve issues or ignition troubles. All these troubles need pro help.
At Precision Mechanical, our experts are here to help you unwind in peaceful, energy-efficient comfort. If your furnace is louder than normal or producing odd sounds, contact us at 605-206-3766 to request an appointment now.
