As your furnace starts up and prepares to warm up your residence, it’s common for it to create some noise. These sounds, like the burners lighting and the blower running, are all part of the normal start-up steps.
But there are a couple of things you can do to make your furnace quieter this winter.
1. Request Annual Furnace Maintenance
Furnace maintenance is extremely important, because it keeps your manufacturer warranty in place. This helps defend you if something major stops working in your furnace during your warranty time.
It can also help our pros find small issues that could make your furnace annoying. And possibly help you avoid a breakdown on the most frigid day of the year. The Indoor Air Quality Association reports that routine maintenance can reduce your likelihood of furnace repairs by up to 95%.
If minor furnace troubles go ignored, they may result in trouble down the road. By unearthing these problems sooner, our techs can get your furnace taken care of before heating season is at its peak.
And most important, specialized cleaning and lubrication of your furnace’s moving components can help make it more efficient. A properly maintained furnace could save up to 30% on your energy bills, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
2. Routinely Change Your Furnace’s Air Filter
Your air filter helps keep your home’s air fresh and clean. When it turns too filthy, it can make your furnace turn on and off too often. Called short cycling, this can cause your furnace to consume additional energy and make it stop working faster.
Our advice for changing your furnace filter:
- Flat filter: Monthly
- Pleated filter: Every three months
You could have to install a new filter more often if you have allergies or pets.
3. Call Bell Mechanical Services When Your Furnace Is Making Odd Noises
Some furnaces, often older ones, may make more noise than others. But if you’re hearing exceedingly loud or strange noises, you might need to call a heating and cooling company like Bell Mechanical Services for furnace repair in McKinney and Frisco.
Here are a few noises to keep an eye out for, how to take care of them and when to contact a specialist.
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 create some moisture. If your furnace is running into difficulties discharging this water, it may make gurgling or bubbling sounds. You’ll require skilled} 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 positive thing when your furnace is making a banging sound. It can mean several things.
Haven’t had maintenance done recently and your furnace is creating a banging sound when starting? Its burners might be dirty. Dirty burners can stall ignition, which results in gas accumulating inside your furnace.
All that accumulated gas can cause a banging or booming noise when your furnace eventually} does ignite. But this is more than only an irritating noise, since the built-up gas is exploding within your furnace. This can crack your furnace’s heat exchanger and cause a dangerous carbon monoxide leak.
If you’ve neglected regular service for your furnace and you’re noticing this noise, give Bell Mechanical Services a shout at 888-863-0560. Our heating specialists will get your furnace tuned up and ensure 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 getting a new one if it’s filthy. Next, ensure you don’t have too many vents closed in your home, as it can make air pressure uneven.
If neither of these things repair the problem, your ductwork could be dirty or undersized, which will require assistance from a professional HVAC technician.
Furnace Making Humming or Buzzing Noise
If your furnace is buzzing or humming, it’s a symptom there’s an electrical issue. This is most frequently seen with a sputtering blower fan motor, which will create an annoying buzzing noise when your furnace begins to heat. It might also mean there’s trouble with the capacitor or transformer. All three of these issues need assistance from a professional heating and cooling company like Bell Mechanical Services.
Furnace Making Knocking Noise
If your furnace is making knocking sounds, it’s typically a symptom that an internal part is worn out. This could be anything from a bearing to a belt or the gas valve. It might also be a symptom that your burners need to be cleaned.
These problems are usually uncovered during annual maintenance performed by a certified HVAC professional. So, while we’re at your home doing repairs, don’t forget to inquire about scheduling your maintenance appointment for the upcoming year.
Furnace Making Clicking Noise
A clicking sound can be the result of things: worn bearings, gas valve troubles or ignition issues. All these issues need pro support.
At Bell Mechanical Services, our professionals 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 888-863-0560 to request an appointment now.