As your furnace starts up and begins to add warmth to your residence, it’s normal for it to make some noise. These sounds, like the burners igniting and the blower running, are all part of the normal start-up procedures.

But there are several things you can do to make your furnace quieter this winter.

1. Schedule Annual Furnace Maintenance

Furnace maintenance is highly important, because it keeps your manufacturer warranty ongoing. This helps defend you if something big stops working in your furnace during your warranty period.

It can also help our professionals discover minor issues that can make your furnace annoying. And possibly help you sidestep a breakdown on the chilliest day of the year. The Indoor Air Quality Association reports that regular maintenance can decrease your chance of furnace meltdowns by up to 95%.

If little furnace troubles go unnoticed, they may result in trouble in the future. By finding these issues sooner, our techs can get your furnace fixed before heating season is at its peak.

And most important, pro cleaning and lubrication of your furnace’s moving pieces can help make it more efficient. A correctly maintained furnace could save up to 30% on your gas bills, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

2. Regularly Replace Your Furnace’s Air Filter

Your air filter helps keep your residence’s air fresh and clean. When it turns too clogged, it can make your furnace turn on and off too often. Referred to as short cycling, this can cause your furnace to use additional energy and make it break down faster.

Our suggestions for replacing your furnace filter:

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

You could have to get a new filter more often if you have allergies or pets.

3. Get in Touch with Better Air When Your Furnace Is Producing Strange Noises

Some furnaces, particularly older ones, might make more noise than others. But if you’re hearing exceedingly loud or strange noises, it may be time to contact a heating and cooling company like Better Air for furnace repair in Dundas and Northfield.

Here are a few noises to be on the lookout for, how to repair them and when to get in touch with a specialist.

Furnace Making Gurgling or Bubbling Noise

This noise is more common with high-efficiency furnaces. That’s due to the fact they emit fumes dissimilarly than older furnaces, and the process can make some moisture. If your furnace is experiencing difficulties draining this water, it may make gurgling or bubbling sounds. You’ll need skilled 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 might mean a few things.

Haven’t requested maintenance recently and your furnace is creating a banging sound when turning on? Its burners can be dirty. Dirty burners can delay ignition, which leads gas to accumulate in your furnace.

All that accumulated gas can make a banging or booming sound when your furnace eventually does ignite. But this is more than just an irritating noise, since the increased gas is erupting within your furnace. This can break your furnace’s heat exchanger and cause a deadly carbon monoxide leak.

If you’ve overlooked regular tune-ups for your furnace and you’re hearing this noise, give Better Air a shout at 507-663-1208. Our heating professionals will get your furnace tuned up and ensure it’s running correctly.

Your ductwork can also make banging sounds when your furnace starts, as the metal is expanding and contracting.

We advise first looking at your furnace’s air filter and replacing it if it’s dirty. Next, ensure you don’t have too many vents sealed in your residence, as it can make air pressure uneven.

If neither of these things repair the issue, your ductwork could be dirty or undersized, which will require assistance from a pro HVAC tech.

Furnace Making Humming or Buzzing Noise

If your furnace is buzzing or humming, it’s a symptom 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 switches on. It might also mean there’s a problem with the capacitor or transformer. All three of these troubles need support from a skilled heating and cooling company like Better Air.

Furnace Making Knocking Noise

If your furnace is making knocking sounds, it’s frequently a symptom that an internal piece is worn out. This could be anything from a bearing to a belt or the gas valve. It can also be a sign that your burners need cleaning.

These problems are usually uncovered during annual maintenance provided by a certified HVAC tech. So, while we’re at your house performing repairs, don’t forget to inquire about scheduling your maintenance appointment for the future.

Furnace Making Clicking Noise

A clicking sound might be the result of problems: worn bearings, gas valve problems or ignition issues. All these issues need skilled assistance.

At Better Air, our specialists are here to help you relax in peaceful, energy-efficient comfort. If your furnace is louder than normal or producing odd sounds, contact us at 507-663-1208 to get an appointment right away.