As your furnace switches on and begins to warm up your home, it’s expected for it to create some noise. These sounds, including the burners igniting and the blower running, are all part of the typical start-up steps.
But there are several things you can do to make your furnace less noisy this winter.
1. Request Annual Furnace Maintenance
Furnace maintenance is highly important, since it keeps your manufacturer warranty valid. This helps defend you if something big stops working in your furnace during your warranty time.
It can also help us spot minor issues that can make your furnace loud. And maybe help you prevent a breakdown on the chilliest day of the year. The Indoor Air Quality Association reports that regular maintenance can decrease your likelihood of furnace breakdowns by up to 95%.
If little furnace troubles go undetected, they may lead to trouble later on. By unearthing these issues sooner, our techs can get your furnace fixed before heating season begins.
And most important, professional 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 gas expenses, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
2. Regularly Replace Your Furnace’s Air Filter
Your air filter helps keep your house’s air fresh and clean. When it becomes too clogged, it can make your furnace turn on and off too often. Referred to as short cycling, this can cause your furnace to consume additional fuel 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 frequently if you have allergies or pets.
3. Contact Tokay When Your Furnace Is Creating Weird Noises
Some furnaces, particularly older ones, could be noisier than others. But if you’re hearing very loud or weird noises, you might need to contact a heating and cooling company like Tokay for furnace repair in Lodi.
Here are a few noises to be looking for, how to solve them and when to get in touch with a professional.
Furnace Making Gurgling or Bubbling Noise
This noise is more common with high-efficiency furnaces. That’s because they emit fumes differently than older furnaces, and the process can make some moisture. If your furnace is experiencing difficulties draining this water, it can make gurgling or bubbling sounds. You’ll need professional} support for this problem, since it can be created by a blocked drain pipe or clogged drain pan.
Furnace Making Banging Noise
It’s not a great thing when your furnace is making a banging sound. It could mean several things.
Haven’t scheduled maintenance recently and your furnace is making a banging sound when beginning? Its burners could be dirty. Dirty burners can stall ignition, which causes gas to accumulate within your furnace.
All that built-up gas can create a banging or booming noise when your furnace finally} does ignite. But this is more than just an irritating noise, since the accumulated gas is exploding within your furnace. This can damage your furnace’s heat exchanger and cause a dangerous carbon monoxide leak.
If you’ve forgotten regular maintenance for your furnace and you’re detecting this noise, give Tokay a ring at 209-257-3156. Our heating pros will get your furnace tuned up and double-check it’s operating correctly.
Your ductwork can also create banging sounds when your furnace starts, since the metal is expanding and contracting.
We recommend 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 sealed in your home, as it can force air pressure out of balance.
If neither of these steps repair the sound, your ductwork may 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 symptom there’s an electrical problem. This is most usually seen with a faltering blower fan motor, which will create an annoying buzzing noise when your furnace switches on. It may also mean there’s an issue with the capacitor or transformer. All three of these troubles need help from a skilled heating and cooling company like Tokay.
Furnace Making Knocking Noise
If your furnace is making knocking sounds, it’s frequently a symptom that an internal component is breaking down. This might be anything from a bearing to a belt or the gas valve. It could also be a sign that your burners are dirty.
These problems are usually uncovered during regular maintenance done by a certified HVAC professional. So, while we’re at your residence performing 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 troubles: worn bearings, gas valve issues or ignition issues. All these troubles need pro support.
At Tokay, our pros are here to help you enjoy peaceful, energy-efficient comfort. If your furnace is louder than it usually is or producing odd sounds, contact us at 209-257-3156 to schedule an appointment right away.