As your furnace starts up and prepares to warm up your residence, it’s typical for it to make some noise. These sounds, such as the burners firing up and the blower whirring, are all part of the normal start-up process.
But there are a couple of steps you can do to make your furnace run more quietly this winter.
1. Book Annual Furnace Maintenance
Furnace maintenance is very important, as it keeps your manufacturer warranty ongoing. This helps protect you if something huge stops working in your furnace during your warranty time.
It can also help our professionals find small issues that can make your furnace loud. And potentially help you sidestep a meltdown on the most frigid day of the year. The Indoor Air Quality Association reports that routine maintenance can lower your chance of furnace malfunctions by up to 95%.
If little furnace problems go ignored, they may lead to trouble down the road. By unearthing these issues sooner, our technicians can get your furnace fixed before heating season is underway.
And most essential, professional 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. Regularly Change Your Furnace’s Air Filter
Your air filter helps keep your home’s air fresh and clean. When it gets too filthy, it can make your furnace turn on and off too frequently. Known as short cycling, this can cause your furnace to use additional gas and make it stop working faster.
Our recommendations for changing your furnace filter:
- Flat filter: Every month
- Pleated filter: Every three months
You may have to install a new filter more often if you have allergies or pets.
3. Call Allstar Heating & Air Conditioning When Your Furnace Is Producing Weird Noises
Some furnaces, particularly older ones, could make more noise than others. But if you’re detecting extremely loud or strange noises, it may be time to call a heating and cooling company like Allstar Heating & Air Conditioning for furnace repair in Buellton.
Here are a couple of noises to be on the lookout 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 discharge fumes dissimilarly than older furnaces, and the process can produce some moisture. If your furnace is experiencing difficulties draining this water, it can make gurgling or bubbling sounds. You’ll want skilled 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 positive 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 beginning? Its burners might be dirty. Dirty burners can delay ignition, which results in gas accumulating within your furnace.
All that accumulated gas can make a banging or booming sound when your furnace ultimately does ignite. But this is more than merely an irritating noise, since the accumulated gas is igniting within your furnace. This can break your furnace’s heat exchanger and cause a life-threatening carbon monoxide leak.
If you’ve ignored regular service for your furnace and you’re detecting this noise, give Allstar Heating & Air Conditioning a ring at 805-242-9638. Our heating specialists will get your furnace tuned up and double-check it’s running correctly.
Your ductwork can also make banging sounds when your furnace switches on, since the metal is expanding and contracting.
We advise first checking your furnace’s air filter and replacing it if it’s clogged. Next, ensure you don’t have too many vents shut in your house, as it can make air pressure uneven.
If neither of these steps repair the issue, your ductwork could be dirty or undersized, which will require assistance from a skilled HVAC tech.
Furnace Making Humming or Buzzing Noise
If your furnace is buzzing or humming, it’s a symptom there’s electrical troubles. This is most frequently seen with a dying blower fan motor, which will create a loud buzzing noise when your furnace begins to heat. It could also mean there’s a problem with the capacitor or transformer. All three of these issues need help from a skilled heating and cooling company like Allstar Heating & Air Conditioning.
Furnace Making Knocking Noise
If your furnace is making knocking sounds, it’s frequently a symptom that an internal part is breaking down. This can 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 troubles are usually uncovered during annual maintenance provided by a certified HVAC technician. So, while we’re at your house performing repairs, don’t forget to check with us about requesting your maintenance appointment for the future.
Furnace Making Clicking Noise
A clicking sound could be the result of troubles: worn bearings, gas valve problems or ignition issues. All these issues need specialized help.
At Allstar Heating & Air Conditioning, our experts are here to help you enjoy peaceful, energy-efficient comfort. If your furnace is louder than it usually is or producing strange sounds, contact us at 805-242-9638 to get an appointment right away.