As your furnace switches on and begins to warm up your home, it’s common for it to produce some noise. These sounds, including the burners lighting and the blower running, are all part of the normal start-up steps.
But there are several things you can do to make your furnace run more quietly this winter.
1. Book Annual Furnace Maintenance
Furnace maintenance is very important, since it keeps your manufacturer warranty in place. This helps protect you if something major stops working in your furnace during your warranty time.
It can also help us find minor issues that might make your furnace noisy. And potentially help you prevent a malfunction on the coldest day of the year. The Indoor Air Quality Association reports that regular maintenance can reduce your probability of furnace malfunctions by up to 95%.
If small furnace troubles go ignored, they may cause trouble later on. By discovering these issues sooner, our techs can get your furnace taken care of before heating season is at its peak.
And most important, 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 utility expenses, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
2. Frequently Put in a New Furnace’s Air Filter
Your air filter helps keep your residence’s air fresh and clean. When it becomes too clogged, it can make your furnace turn on and off more than it should. Called short cycling, this can cause your furnace to eat up additional gas and make it stop working faster.
Our suggestions for changing your furnace filter:
- Flat filter: Every month
- Pleated filter: Every three months
You may have to get a new filter more often if you have allergies or pets.
3. Contact AW Heating & Air Conditioning When Your Furnace Is Creating Weird Noises
Some furnaces, often older ones, may be louder than others. But if you’re hearing very loud or strange noises, it may be time to get in touch with a heating and cooling company like AW Heating & Air Conditioning for furnace repair in Lincoln.
Here are a few noises to keep an eye out for, how to fix them and when to contact a pro.
Furnace Making Gurgling or Bubbling Noise
This noise happens more frequently with high-efficiency furnaces. That’s since they emit fumes differently than older furnaces, and the process can make some moisture. If your furnace is experiencing difficulties discharging this water, it may make gurgling or bubbling sounds. You’ll need pro support for this issue, 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 can mean several things.
Haven’t scheduled maintenance recently and your furnace is making a banging sound when starting? Its burners could be dirty. Dirty burners can hold up ignition, which leads gas to accumulate within your furnace.
All that accumulated gas can make a banging or booming noise when your furnace eventually does ignite. But this is more than only an irritating noise, as the accumulated gas is exploding within your furnace. This can break your furnace’s heat exchanger and cause a life-threatening carbon monoxide leak.
If you’ve forgotten regular maintenance for your furnace and you’re hearing this noise, give AW Heating & Air Conditioning a ring at 402-438-7992. Our heating professionals will get your furnace tuned up and make sure it’s working correctly.
Your ductwork can also produce banging sounds when your furnace starts, because the metal is expanding and contracting.
We advise first looking at your furnace’s air filter and replacing it if it’s clogged. Next, ensure you don’t have too many vents shut in your home, as it can make air pressure uneven.
If neither of these methods repair the issue, your ductwork could be dirty or undersized, which will be a need for assistance from a pro HVAC specialist.
Furnace Making Humming or Buzzing Noise
If your furnace is buzzing or humming, it’s a sign 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 begins to heat. It could also mean there’s an issue with the capacitor or transformer. All three of these troubles need support from a skilled heating and cooling company like AW Heating & Air Conditioning.
Furnace Making Knocking Noise
If your furnace is making knocking sounds, it’s typically a symptom that an internal component is worn out. This may be anything from a bearing to a belt or the gas valve. It might also be a sign that your burners are dirty.
These problems are frequently uncovered during yearly maintenance done by a certified HVAC technician. So, while we’re at your house working on repairs, don’t forget to check with us about booking your maintenance appointment for next year.
Furnace Making Clicking Noise
A clicking sound may be the result of issues: worn bearings, gas valve troubles or ignition issues. All these problems need specialized assistance.
At AW Heating & Air Conditioning, our pros 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 402-438-7992 to book an appointment today.