As your furnace switches on and begins to heat your house, it’s expected for it to produce some noise. These sounds, like the burners lighting and the blower operating, are all part of the usual start-up process.
But there are a couple of things you can do to make your furnace less noisy this winter.
1. Schedule Annual Furnace Maintenance
Furnace maintenance is very important, since it keeps your manufacturer warranty in place. This helps shield you if something major goes wrong with your furnace during your warranty period.
It can also help our pros find small troubles that could make your furnace annoying. And potentially help you avoid a meltdown on the coldest day of the year. The Indoor Air Quality Association reports that routine maintenance can lower your probability of furnace meltdowns by up to 95%.
If minor furnace troubles go ignored, they could cause trouble in the future. By uncovering these issues early, our technicians can get your furnace taken care of before heating season begins.
And, most critical, professional cleaning and lubrication of your furnace’s moving pieces 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. Frequently Change Your Furnace’s Air Filter
Your air filter helps keep your home’s air fresh and clean. When it becomes too dirty, it can make your furnace turn on and off too often. Referred to as short cycling, this can cause your furnace to eat up extra gas and make it break down more rapidly.
Our suggestions for replacing 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. Contact Lycoming Heating Company When Your Furnace is Creating Weird Noises
Some furnaces, particularly older ones, might make more noise than others. But if you’re hearing very loud or odd noises, you might need to contact a heating and cooling company like Lycoming Heating Company for furnace repair in Williamsport.
Here are a couple of noises to be looking for, how to take care of them and when to get in touch with a pro.
Furnace Making Gurgling or Bubbling Noise
This noise occurs more commonly with high-efficiency furnaces. That’s since they discharge fumes differently than older furnaces, and the process can produce some moisture. If your furnace is having troubles removing this water, it can make gurgling or bubbling sounds. You’ll need skilled assistance for this issue, since it could be the result of by a blocked drain pipe or clogged drain pan.
Furnace Making Banging Noise
It’s not a good sign when your furnace is making a banging sound. It might mean a couple of things.
Haven’t requested maintenance this year and your furnace is creating a banging sound when starting? Its burners can be dirty. Dirty burners can delay ignition, which leads gas to accumulate in your furnace.
All that increased gas can cause a banging or booming racket when your furnace ultimately does ignite. But this is more than merely a bothersome noise, because the built-up gas is erupting inside your furnace. This can break your furnace’s heat exchanger and make a life-threatening carbon monoxide leak.
If you’ve ignored yearly service for your furnace and you’re hearing this noise, give Lycoming Heating Company a shout at 570-326-4450. Our heating professionals will get your furnace tuned up and double-check it’s operating properly.
Your ductwork can also create banging sounds when your furnace turns on, since the metal is expanding and contracting.
We suggest first inspecting your furnace’s air filter and getting a new one if it’s filthy. Next, make sure you don’t have too many vents shut in your home, as it can throw off air pressure.
If neither of these things repair the sound, your ductwork may be dirty or undersized, which will call for assistance from a skilled HVAC technician.
Furnace Making Humming or Buzzing Noise
If your furnace is buzzing or humming, it’s a flag there’s an electrical issue. This is most usually seen with a faltering blower fan motor, which will create an annoying buzzing noise when your furnace starts. It can also mean there’s trouble with the capacitor or transformer. All three of these troubles require help from a skilled heating and cooling company like Lycoming Heating Company.
Furnace Making Knocking Noise
If your furnace is making knocking sounds, it’s frequently an indication that an internal component is worn out. This could be anything from a bearing to a belt or the gas valve. It can also be a symptom that your burners need cleaning.
These problems are often uncovered during yearly maintenance provided by a certified HVAC pro. So, while we’re at your residence doing repairs, don’t forget to ask us about booking your maintenance appointment for the future.
Furnace Making Clicking Noise
A clicking sound could be the result of things: worn bearings, gas valve problems or ignition problems. All these problems call for pro help.
At Lycoming Heating Company, our experts are here to help you enjoy quiet, energy-efficient comfort. If your furnace is louder than normal or creating odd sounds, contact us at 570-326-4450 to get an appointment right away.