As your furnace starts up and begins to add warmth to your house, it’s expected for it to make some noise. These sounds, such as the burners firing up and the blower running, are all part of the normal start-up process.

But there are a couple of things you can do to make your furnace run more quietly this winter.

1. Schedule Yearly Furnace Maintenance

Furnace maintenance is very important, as it keeps your manufacturer warranty in place. This helps defend you if something huge stops working in your furnace during your warranty period.

It can also help us uncover small issues that could make your furnace loud. And maybe help you avoid a malfunction on the most frigid day of the year. The Indoor Air Quality Association reports that annual maintenance can reduce your chance of furnace repairs by up to 95%.

If minor furnace troubles go ignored, they may lead to trouble later on. By uncovering these issues sooner, our techs can get your furnace taken care of before heating season begins.

And most essential, specialized 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 energy expenses, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

2. Routinely Change 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 frequently. Referred to as short cycling, this can cause your furnace to eat up additional fuel and make it break down faster.

Our advice for replacing your furnace filter:

  • Flat filter: Every month
  • Pleated filter: Every three months

You may have to get a new filter more frequently if you have allergies or pets.

3. Call Ilten's When Your Furnace Is Producing Strange Noises

Some furnaces, especially older ones, could be louder than others. But if you’re detecting very loud or weird noises, it may be time to get in touch with a heating and cooling company like Ilten's for furnace repair in Cedar Rapids.

Here are a few noises to be looking for, how to solve them and when to contact a professional.

Furnace Making Gurgling or Bubbling Noise

This noise is more common with high-efficiency furnaces. That’s since they exhaust fumes dissimilarly than older furnaces, and the process can produce some moisture. If your furnace is running into difficulties removing this water, it might make gurgling or bubbling sounds. You’ll want pro 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 great thing when your furnace is making a banging sound. It might mean a few things.

Haven’t requested maintenance recently and your furnace is making a banging sound when starting? Its burners could be dirty. Dirty burners can stall ignition, which causes gas to accumulate within your furnace.

All that built-up gas can make a banging or booming racket when your furnace finally does ignite. But this is more than only an irritating noise, since the increased gas is igniting within your furnace. This can crack your furnace’s heat exchanger and cause a life-threatening carbon monoxide leak.

If you’ve neglected regular service for your furnace and you’re hearing this noise, give Ilten's a call at 319-208-2351. Our heating professionals will get your furnace tuned up and ensure it’s working correctly.

Your ductwork can also produce banging sounds when your furnace switches on, since the metal is expanding and contracting.

We advise first looking at your furnace’s air filter and replacing it if it’s clogged. Next, make sure you don’t have too many vents sealed in your home, as it can throw off air pressure.

If neither of these steps repair the sound, your ductwork might be dirty or undersized, which will be a need for assistance from a skilled HVAC specialist.

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 often seen with a dying blower fan motor, which will make an irritating 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 assistance from an experienced heating and cooling company like Ilten's.

Furnace Making Knocking Noise

If your furnace is making knocking sounds, it’s typically a symptom 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 to be cleaned.

These issues are usually uncovered during regular maintenance provided by a certified HVAC professional. So, while we’re at your house performing repairs, don’t forget to check with us about booking your maintenance appointment for the future.

Furnace Making Clicking Noise

A clicking sound may be the result of problems: worn bearings, gas valve problems or ignition problems. All these troubles need specialized assistance.

At Ilten's, our professionals are here to help you unwind in peaceful, energy-efficient comfort. If your furnace is louder than it typically is or producing strange sounds, contact us at 319-208-2351 to book an appointment now.