As your furnace starts up and prepares to heat your residence, it’s expected for it to produce some noise. These sounds, including the burners igniting and the blower whirring, are all part of the typical start-up process.
But there are several approaches you can do to make your furnace quieter this winter.
1. Book Yearly Furnace Maintenance
Furnace maintenance is very important, because it keeps your manufacturer warranty valid. This helps protect you if something huge stops working in your furnace during your warranty range.
It can also help our professionals spot little issues that might make your furnace loud. And potentially help you sidestep a breakdown on the chilliest 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 problems go undetected, they may lead to trouble down the road. By unearthing these troubles sooner, our techs can get your furnace taken care of before heating season is underway.
And most essential, pro 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 utility expenses, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
2. Routinely Replace Your Furnace’s Air Filter
Your air filter helps keep your residence’s air fresh and clean. When it becomes too clogged, it can make your furnace turn on and off too often. Known as short cycling, this can cause your furnace to use additional fuel and make it wear out faster.
Our recommendations for installing a new furnace filter:
- Flat filter: Once a month
- Pleated filter: Every three months
You may have to change your filter more frequently if you have allergies or pets.
3. Call West Michigan Heating & Air Conditioning Services When Your Furnace Is Producing Weird Noises
Some furnaces, often older ones, might make more noise than others. But if you’re hearing very loud or strange noises, you might need to call a heating and cooling company like West Michigan Heating & Air Conditioning Services for furnace repair in Hudsonville.
Here are a few noises to be on the lookout for, how to repair them and when to contact a specialist.
Furnace Making Gurgling or Bubbling Noise
This noise is more common with high-efficiency furnaces. That’s because they emit fumes dissimilarly than older furnaces, and the process can produce some moisture. If your furnace is running into difficulties removing this water, it could make gurgling or bubbling sounds. You’ll need professional support for this trouble, since it may be created by a blocked drain pipe or clogged drain pan.
Furnace Making Banging Noise
It’s not a good thing when your furnace is making a banging sound. It might mean several things.
Haven’t had maintenance done recently and your furnace is producing a banging sound when turning on? Its burners could be dirty. Dirty burners can delay ignition, which results in gas accumulating in your furnace.
All that increased gas can create a banging or booming noise when your furnace eventually does ignite. But this is more than just an irritating noise, because the accumulated gas is erupting within your furnace. This can break your furnace’s heat exchanger and make a life-threatening carbon monoxide leak.
If you’ve overlooked regular tune-ups for your furnace and you’re hearing this noise, give West Michigan Heating & Air Conditioning Services a shout at (616) 319-1436. Our heating specialists will get your furnace tuned up and make sure it’s operating correctly.
Your ductwork can also produce banging sounds when your furnace turns on, since the metal is expanding and contracting.
We advise first checking your furnace’s air filter and replacing it if it’s filthy. Next, double-check you don’t have too many vents closed in your house, as it can throw off air pressure.
If neither of these steps repair the problem, your ductwork might be dirty or undersized, which will call for assistance from a pro 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 dying blower fan motor, which will produce 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 problems need assistance from a skilled heating and cooling company like West Michigan Heating & Air Conditioning Services.
Furnace Making Knocking Noise
If your furnace is making knocking sounds, it’s often a symptom that an internal piece is dying. This may be anything from a bearing to a belt or the gas valve. It could also be a symptom that your burners are dirty.
These troubles are frequently uncovered during regular maintenance provided by a certified HVAC professional. So, while we’re at your home doing repairs, don’t forget to check with us about requesting your maintenance appointment for next year.
Furnace Making Clicking Noise
A clicking sound might be the result of problems: worn bearings, gas valve troubles or ignition problems. All these problems need professional help.
At West Michigan Heating & Air Conditioning Services, our experts are here to help you relax in peaceful, energy-efficient comfort. If your furnace is louder than it usually is or producing odd sounds, contact us at (616) 319-1436 to get an appointment today.
