As your furnace switches on and prepares to add warmth to your home, it’s typical for it to create some noise. These sounds, such as the burners lighting and the blower whirring, are all part of the typical start-up steps.
But there are a few approaches you can do to make your furnace less noisy this winter.
1. Book Regular Furnace Maintenance
Furnace maintenance is highly important, because it keeps your manufacturer warranty in place. This helps shield you if something major stops working in your furnace during your warranty time.
It can also help our professionals spot small issues that can make your furnace annoying. And possibly help you prevent a breakdown on the most frigid day of the year. The Indoor Air Quality Association reports that regular maintenance can reduce your likelihood of furnace breakdowns by up to 95%.
If small furnace troubles go undetected, they may cause trouble down the road. By unearthing these troubles sooner, our techs can get your furnace repaired before heating season is in full swing.
And most critical, specialized cleaning and lubrication of your furnace’s moving parts can help make it more efficient. A correctly maintained furnace could save up to 30% on your energy bills, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
2. Regularly Put in a New Furnace’s Air Filter
Your air filter helps keep your house’s air fresh and clean. When it gets too clogged, it can make your furnace turn on and off more than it should. Referred to as short cycling, this can cause your furnace to use additional gas and make it wear out faster.
Our recommendations for replacing your furnace filter:
- Flat filter: Once a month
- Pleated filter: Every three months
You might have to replace your filter more regularly if you have allergies or pets.
3. Call LTS Plumbing & Heating Inc. When Your Furnace Is Producing Weird Noises
Some furnaces, often older ones, could be noisier than others. But if you’re detecting exceedingly loud or odd noises, it may be time to contact a heating and cooling company like LTS Plumbing & Heating Inc. for furnace repair in Shamokin and Sunbury.
Here are several noises to keep an eye out for, how to repair them and when to call a professional.
Furnace Making Gurgling or Bubbling Noise
This noise happens more frequently with high-efficiency furnaces. That’s since they exhaust fumes differently than older furnaces, and the process can produce some moisture. If your furnace is running into difficulties discharging this water, it can make gurgling or bubbling sounds. You’ll want skilled support for this trouble, since it can 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 a few things.
Haven’t had maintenance done recently and your furnace is producing a banging sound when starting? Its burners might be dirty. Dirty burners can stall ignition, which results in gas accumulating within your furnace.
All that increased gas can cause a banging or booming sound when your furnace ultimately does ignite. But this is more than merely an irritating noise, since the built-up gas is erupting within your furnace. This can crack your furnace’s heat exchanger and cause a deadly carbon monoxide leak.
If you’ve forgotten regular service for your furnace and you’re detecting this noise, give LTS Plumbing & Heating Inc. a shout at 570-648-0748. Our heating specialists will get your furnace tuned up and ensure it’s operating correctly.
Your ductwork can also make banging sounds when your furnace starts, since the metal is expanding and contracting.
We recommend first looking at 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 house, as it can throw off air pressure.
If neither of these things repair the sound, your ductwork may be dirty or undersized, which will require assistance from a professional HVAC tech.
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 frequently seen with a faltering blower fan motor, which will produce an irritating buzzing noise when your furnace switches on. It may also mean there’s a problem with the capacitor or transformer. All three of these problems need support from an experienced heating and cooling company like LTS Plumbing & Heating Inc..
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 may also be a symptom that your burners are dirty.
These problems are often uncovered during annual maintenance done by a certified HVAC professional. So, while we’re at your home working on repairs, don’t forget to check with us about requesting your maintenance appointment for next year.
Furnace Making Clicking Noise
A clicking sound may be the result of problems: worn bearings, gas valve problems or ignition issues. All these troubles need specialized assistance.
At LTS Plumbing & Heating Inc., 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 570-648-0748 to get an appointment today.