As your furnace starts up and gets ready to heat your residence, it’s typical for it to produce some noise. These sounds, such as the burners firing up and the blower running, are all part of the usual start-up procedures.
But there are several approaches you can do to make your furnace less noisy this winter.
1. Book Annual Furnace Maintenance
Furnace maintenance is very important, as it keeps your manufacturer warranty ongoing. This helps defend you if something huge stops working in your furnace during your warranty time.
It can also help our pros discover minor issues that might make your furnace annoying. 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 probability of furnace repairs by up to 95%.
If little furnace issues go ignored, they may cause trouble down the road. By finding these issues sooner, our pros can get your furnace fixed before heating season is in full swing.
And most essential, pro 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 utility costs, 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 turns too filthy, 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 energy and make it wear out faster.
Our advice for installing a new furnace filter:
- Flat filter: Every month
- Pleated filter: Every three months
You might have to install a new filter more regularly if you have allergies or pets.
3. Contact Ilten's When Your Furnace Is Creating Strange Noises
Some furnaces, especially older ones, could be noisier than others. But if you’re detecting exceedingly loud or weird noises, it may be time to contact a heating and cooling company like Ilten's for furnace repair in Cedar Rapids.
Here are a few noises to keep an eye out for, how to repair them and when to get in touch with a specialist.
Furnace Making Gurgling or Bubbling Noise
This noise happens more frequently with high-efficiency furnaces. That’s due to the fact they emit fumes differently than older furnaces, and the process can produce some moisture. If your furnace is experiencing difficulties discharging this water, it could make gurgling or bubbling sounds. You’ll want professional} support for this issue, since it can 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 creating a banging sound when beginning? Its burners can be dirty. Dirty burners can delay ignition, which results in gas accumulating inside your furnace.
All that accumulated gas can create a banging or booming racket when your furnace ultimately} does ignite. But this is more than just an irritating noise, because the accumulated gas is exploding within your furnace. This can break your furnace’s heat exchanger and create a deadly carbon monoxide leak.
If you’ve forgotten regular service for your furnace and you’re detecting this noise, give Ilten's a shout at 319-208-2351. Our heating professionals will get your furnace tuned up and double-check it’s working correctly.
Your ductwork can also create banging sounds when your furnace starts, because the metal is expanding and contracting.
We recommend first inspecting your furnace’s air filter and installing a new one if it’s clogged. Next, ensure you don’t have too many vents closed in your residence, as it can force air pressure out of balance.
If neither of these steps repair the problem, your ductwork could 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 electrical troubles. This is most usually seen with a faltering blower fan motor, which will make an irritating buzzing noise when your furnace turns on. It could also mean there’s an issue with the capacitor or transformer. All three of these problems need assistance from a skilled heating and cooling company like Ilten's.
Furnace Making Knocking Noise
If your furnace is making knocking sounds, it’s usually a symptom that an internal part is going out. This might be anything from a bearing to a belt or the gas valve. It could also be an indication that your burners need to be cleaned.
These issues are frequently uncovered during annual maintenance done by a certified HVAC tech. So, while we’re at your residence doing repairs, don’t forget to inquire about requesting your maintenance appointment for next year.
Furnace Making Clicking Noise
A clicking sound may be the result of issues: worn bearings, gas valve problems or ignition troubles. All these problems need pro support.
At Ilten's, our pros are here to help you enjoy peaceful, energy-efficient comfort. If your furnace is louder than it typically is or producing weird sounds, contact us at 319-208-2351 to schedule an appointment now.