As your furnace switches on and begins to warm up your house, it’s typical for it to create some noise. These sounds, like the burners firing up and the blower running, are all part of the usual start-up steps.

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

1. Request Yearly Furnace Maintenance

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

It can also help our professionals discover little issues that can make your furnace loud. And maybe help you avoid a malfunction on the most frigid day of the year. The Indoor Air Quality Association reports that routine maintenance can reduce your likelihood of furnace meltdowns by up to 95%.

If small furnace troubles go unnoticed, they may result in trouble later on. By uncovering these issues sooner, our pros can get your furnace repaired before heating season is in full swing.

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

2. Routinely Put in 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 often. Referred to as short cycling, this can cause your furnace to eat up additional gas and make it break down faster.

Our recommendations for changing your furnace filter:

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

You could have to replace your filter more frequently if you have allergies or pets.

3. Contact West Jefferson Plumbing and Heating, Inc. When Your Furnace Is Producing Strange Noises

Some furnaces, often older ones, can be noisier than others. But if you’re hearing exceedingly loud or weird noises, you should call a heating and cooling company like West Jefferson Plumbing and Heating, Inc. for furnace repair in West Jefferson.

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

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 having difficulties discharging this water, it might make gurgling or bubbling sounds. You’ll require experienced support for this problem, since it could be created by a blocked drain pipe or clogged drain pan.

Furnace Making Banging Noise

It’s not a great thing when your furnace is making a banging sound. It could mean a few things.

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

All that built-up gas can cause a banging or booming sound when your furnace ultimately 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 create a deadly carbon monoxide leak.

If you’ve neglected regular maintenance for your furnace and you’re hearing this noise, give West Jefferson Plumbing and Heating, Inc. a ring at 614-879-9091. Our heating specialists will get your furnace tuned up and double-check it’s operating correctly.

Your ductwork can also produce banging sounds when your furnace turns on, as the metal is expanding and contracting.

We advise first inspecting your furnace’s air filter and replacing it if it’s dirty. Next, make sure you don’t have too many vents sealed in your home, as it can throw off air pressure.

If neither of these steps repair the sound, your ductwork might be dirty or undersized, which will be a need for assistance from a pro HVAC specialist.

Furnace Making Humming or Buzzing Noise

If your furnace is buzzing or humming, it’s a sign there’s an electrical issue. This is most often seen with a dying blower fan motor, which will create an annoying buzzing noise when your furnace turns on. It could also mean there’s an issue with the capacitor or transformer. All three of these problems need assistance from a professional heating and cooling company like West Jefferson Plumbing and Heating, Inc..

Furnace Making Knocking Noise

If your furnace is making knocking sounds, it’s typically a symptom that an internal part is worn out. This may be anything from a bearing to a belt or the gas valve. It could also be a sign that your burners are dirty.

These issues are usually uncovered during yearly maintenance performed by a certified HVAC pro. So, while we’re at your residence performing repairs, don’t forget to ask us about booking your maintenance appointment for next year.

Furnace Making Clicking Noise

A clicking sound may be the result of things: worn bearings, gas valve troubles or ignition troubles. All these problems need skilled help.

At West Jefferson Plumbing and Heating, Inc., our specialists are here to help you unwind in peaceful, energy-efficient comfort. If your furnace is louder than it usually is or producing weird sounds, contact us at 614-879-9091 to request an appointment today.