As your furnace turns on and prepares to heat your house, it’s expected for it to make some noise. These sounds, including the burners igniting and the blower whirring, are all part of the normal start-up steps.
But there are a few steps 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 ongoing. This helps protect you if something major malfunctions in your furnace during your warranty range.
It can also help our professionals spot minor problems that could make your furnace annoying. And maybe help you prevent a breakdown on the chilliest day of the year. The Indoor Air Quality Association reports that annual maintenance can lower your chance of furnace meltdowns by up to 95%.
If small furnace issues are left ignored, they could lead to trouble later on. By finding these issues in advance, our pros can get your furnace repaired before heating season is underway.
And, most critical, specialized 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 bills, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
2. Routinely Replace Your Furnace’s Air Filter
Your air filter helps keep your house’s air fresh and clean. When it becomes too filthy, it can make your furnace turn on and off too frequently. Known as short cycling, this can cause your furnace to use more gas and make it break down more quickly.
Our advice for replacing your furnace filter:
- Flat filter: Monthly
- Pleated filter: Every three months
You could have to replace your filter more regularly if you have allergies or pets.
3. Contact Marcos AC & Heating When Your Furnace is Creating Odd Noises
Some furnaces, especially older ones, might make more noise than others. But if you’re noticing very loud or strange noises, you should get in touch with a heating and cooling company like Marcos AC & Heating for furnace repair in Houston.
Here are a couple of noises to keep an eye out for, how to solve them and when to contact a pro.
Furnace Making Gurgling or Bubbling Noise
This noise happens more frequently with high-efficiency furnaces. That’s since they emit fumes dissimilarly older furnaces, and the process can produce some moisture. If your furnace is running into difficulties discharging this water, it could make gurgling or bubbling sounds. You’ll need experienced support for this trouble, since it might be caused by a blocked drain pipe or clogged drain pan.
Furnace Making Banging Noise
It’s not a positive sign when your furnace is making a banging sound. It can mean a few things.
Haven’t requested maintenance this year and your furnace is creating a banging sound when turning on? 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 sound when your furnace eventually does ignite. But this is more than merely an irritating noise, as the increased gas is igniting inside your furnace. This can damage your furnace’s heat exchanger and create a deadly carbon monoxide leak.
If you’ve ignored regular tune-ups for your furnace and you’re detecting this noise, give Marcos AC & Heating a ring at 713-469-3357. Our heating pros will get your furnace tuned up and ensure it’s running properly.
Your ductwork can also make banging sounds when your furnace turns on, as the metal is expanding and contracting.
We advise first inspecting your furnace’s air filter and getting a new one if it’s filthy. Next, double-check you don’t have too many vents sealed in your home, as it can throw off air pressure.
If neither of these steps take care of the issue, 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 sign there’s electrical troubles. This is most frequently seen with a sputtering blower fan motor, which will make an irritating buzzing noise when your furnace begins to heat. It might also mean there’s a problem with the capacitor or transformer. All three of these problems need support from a professional heating and cooling company like Marcos AC & Heating.
Furnace Making Knocking Noise
If your furnace is making knocking sounds, it’s typically a symptom that an internal part is worn out. This might be anything from a bearing to a belt or the gas valve. It might also be a symptom that your burners need cleaning.
These issues are typically caught during yearly maintenance provided by a certified HVAC technician. So, while we’re at your residence performing repairs, don’t forget to inquire about requesting your maintenance appointment for next year.
Furnace Making Clicking Noise
A clicking sound might be created by things: worn bearings, gas valve troubles or ignition problems. All these issues need specialized assistance.
At Marcos AC & Heating, our specialists are here to help you enjoy quiet, energy-efficient comfort. If your furnace is louder than it usually is or making weird sounds, contact us at 713-469-3357 to schedule an appointment today.