As your furnace turns on and prepares to add warmth to your residence, it’s typical for it to create some noise. These sounds, including the burners igniting and the blower running, are all part of the normal start-up steps.

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

1. Schedule Yearly Furnace Maintenance

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

It can also help our pros discover little issues that could make your furnace noisy. And possibly help you avoid a breakdown on the coldest day of the year. The Indoor Air Quality Association reports that routine maintenance can reduce your likelihood of furnace breakdowns by up to 95%.

If small furnace issues go undetected, they may lead to trouble in the future. By finding these problems sooner, our technicians can get your furnace taken care of before heating season is underway.

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

2. Frequently Install a New 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. Called short cycling, this can cause your furnace to use additional fuel and make it break down faster.

Our suggestions for replacing your furnace filter:

  • Flat filter: Monthly
  • Pleated filter: Every three months

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

3. Call James Heating & A/C, Inc When Your Furnace Is Producing Odd Noises

Some furnaces, often older ones, might make more noise than others. But if you’re hearing extremely loud or weird noises, it may be time to get in touch with a heating and cooling company like James Heating & A/C, Inc for furnace repair in Lexington.

Here are a couple of noises to keep an eye out for, how to solve them and when to contact a specialist.

Furnace Making Gurgling or Bubbling Noise

This noise happens more frequently 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 want 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 may mean a few things.

Haven’t requested maintenance recently and your furnace is making a banging sound when starting? Its burners can be dirty. Dirty burners can hold up ignition, which results in gas accumulating 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, because the increased gas is erupting within your furnace. This can crack your furnace’s heat exchanger and create a deadly carbon monoxide leak.

If you’ve overlooked regular service for your furnace and you’re detecting this noise, give James Heating & A/C, Inc a ring at 336-853-6070. Our heating pros will get your furnace tuned up and ensure it’s running correctly.

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

We advise first looking at your furnace’s air filter and replacing it if it’s clogged. Next, ensure you don’t have too many vents sealed in your house, as it can throw off air pressure.

If neither of these things repair the issue, your ductwork may be dirty or undersized, which will require 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 frequently seen with a dying blower fan motor, which will create an annoying buzzing noise when your furnace switches on. It might also mean there’s trouble with the capacitor or transformer. All three of these issues need assistance from an experienced heating and cooling company like James Heating & A/C, Inc.

Furnace Making Knocking Noise

If your furnace is making knocking sounds, it’s often a symptom that an internal piece is breaking down. This can be anything from a bearing to a belt or the gas valve. It might also be a sign that your burners need to be cleaned.

These troubles are usually uncovered during yearly maintenance performed by a certified HVAC technician. So, while we’re at your house doing repairs, don’t forget to inquire about requesting your maintenance appointment for the upcoming year.

Furnace Making Clicking Noise

A clicking sound can be the result of problems: worn bearings, gas valve issues or ignition problems. All these problems need professional support.

At James Heating & A/C, Inc, our experts 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 336-853-6070 to schedule an appointment now.