As your furnace turns on and prepares to heat your home, it’s normal for it to make some noise. These sounds, like the burners lighting and the blower operating, are all part of the typical start-up steps.

But there are a couple of approaches you can do to make your furnace quieter this winter.

1. Schedule Regular Furnace Maintenance

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

It can also help our pros uncover little issues that might make your furnace annoying. And maybe help you avoid a breakdown on the coldest day of the year. The Indoor Air Quality Association reports that regular maintenance can decrease your probability of furnace malfunctions by up to 95%.

If small furnace troubles go unnoticed, they may cause trouble down the road. By finding these troubles sooner, our techs can get your furnace repaired before heating season is underway.

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

2. Routinely Put in a New Furnace’s Air Filter

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

Our suggestions for installing a new furnace filter:

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

You may have to get a new filter more regularly if you have allergies or pets.

3. Call Service Max Heating & Air Conditioning When Your Furnace Is Creating Strange Noises

Some furnaces, especially older ones, can be louder than others. But if you’re hearing exceedingly loud or weird noises, you should contact a heating and cooling company like Service Max Heating & Air Conditioning for furnace repair in Arlington.

Here are a few noises to be looking for, how to take care of 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 differently than older furnaces, and the process can produce some moisture. If your furnace is experiencing difficulties removing this water, it could make gurgling or bubbling sounds. You’ll require skilled 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 great thing when your furnace is making a banging sound. It might mean a couple of things.

Haven’t scheduled maintenance recently and your furnace is making a banging sound when turning on? Its burners could be dirty. Dirty burners can delay ignition, which causes gas to accumulate inside your furnace.

All that increased gas can make a banging or booming racket when your furnace finally does ignite. But this is more than just an irritating noise, because the increased gas is exploding within your furnace. This can crack your furnace’s heat exchanger and cause a life-threatening carbon monoxide leak.

If you’ve forgotten regular service for your furnace and you’re noticing this noise, give Service Max Heating & Air Conditioning a shout at 360-255-5857. Our heating specialists will get your furnace tuned up and double-check it’s running correctly.

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

We suggest 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 house, as it can force air pressure out of balance.

If neither of these methods repair the issue, your ductwork may 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 symptom there’s an electrical issue. This is most frequently seen with a sputtering blower fan motor, which will produce an annoying buzzing noise when your furnace starts. It may also mean there’s trouble with the capacitor or transformer. All three of these problems need help from an experienced heating and cooling company like Service Max Heating & Air Conditioning.

Furnace Making Knocking Noise

If your furnace is making knocking sounds, it’s usually a symptom that an internal component is going out. This can be anything from a bearing to a belt or the gas valve. It might also be a sign that your burners are dirty.

These troubles are typically uncovered during annual maintenance performed by a certified HVAC tech. So, while we’re at your home working on repairs, don’t forget to inquire about booking your maintenance appointment for next year.

Furnace Making Clicking Noise

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

At Service Max Heating & Air Conditioning, our specialists are here to help you unwind in peaceful, energy-efficient comfort. If your furnace is louder than it usually is or producing odd sounds, contact us at 360-255-5857 to book an appointment now.