As your furnace turns on and gets ready to warm up your home, it’s common for it to produce some noise. These sounds, such as the burners igniting and the blower operating, are all part of the normal start-up process.

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

1. Book Regular Furnace Maintenance

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

It can also help our pros discover minor issues that might make your furnace noisy. And potentially help you prevent a breakdown on the most frigid day of the year. The Indoor Air Quality Association reports that routine maintenance can reduce your chance of furnace malfunctions by up to 95%.

If small furnace troubles go undetected, they may cause trouble in the future. By uncovering these troubles sooner, our pros can get your furnace repaired before heating season begins.

And most important, 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 heating bills, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

2. Routinely Install a New Furnace’s Air Filter

Your air filter helps keep your home’s air fresh and clean. When it becomes too filthy, it can make your furnace turn on and off too frequently. Called short cycling, this can cause your furnace to consume additional gas and make it wear out faster.

Our suggestions for changing your furnace filter:

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

You could have to install a new filter more frequently if you have allergies or pets.

3. Get in Touch with Fletcher Plumbing, Heating & AC When Your Furnace Is Producing Odd Noises

Some furnaces, particularly older ones, could be louder than others. But if you’re noticing very loud or strange noises, you might need to get in touch with a heating and cooling company like Fletcher Plumbing, Heating & AC for furnace repair in Smyrna.

Here are a few noises to keep an eye out for, how to fix them and when to get in touch with a specialist.

Furnace Making Gurgling or Bubbling Noise

This noise occurs more commonly with high-efficiency furnaces. That’s since they exhaust fumes dissimilarly than older furnaces, and the process can create some moisture. If your furnace is having difficulties removing this water, it may make gurgling or bubbling sounds. You’ll require professional support for this trouble, since it can 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 may mean a couple of things.

Haven’t had maintenance done recently and your furnace is making a banging sound when beginning? Its burners can be dirty. Dirty burners can hold up ignition, which leads gas to accumulate in your furnace.

All that built-up gas can make a banging or booming sound when your furnace ultimately does ignite. But this is more than just an irritating noise, because the built-up gas is igniting within your furnace. This can break your furnace’s heat exchanger and cause a deadly carbon monoxide leak.

If you’ve ignored regular maintenance for your furnace and you’re noticing this noise, give Fletcher Plumbing, Heating & AC a shout at 302-653-0503. Our heating pros will get your furnace tuned up and ensure it’s working correctly.

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

We advise first checking your furnace’s air filter and installing a new one if it’s filthy. Next, double-check 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 might be dirty or undersized, which will require assistance from a skilled HVAC tech.

Furnace Making Humming or Buzzing Noise

If your furnace is buzzing or humming, it’s a sign there’s an electrical problem. This is most often seen with a sputtering blower fan motor, which will make a loud buzzing noise when your furnace turns 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 Fletcher Plumbing, Heating & AC.

Furnace Making Knocking Noise

If your furnace is making knocking sounds, it’s typically a symptom that an internal part is going out. This can 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 often uncovered during annual maintenance provided by a certified HVAC technician. So, while we’re at your home working on repairs, don’t forget to ask us about scheduling your maintenance appointment for next year.

Furnace Making Clicking Noise

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

At Fletcher Plumbing, Heating & AC, our pros are here to help you unwind in peaceful, energy-efficient comfort. If your furnace is louder than normal or producing weird sounds, contact us at 302-653-0503 to schedule an appointment right away.