As your furnace switches on and gets ready to heat your residence, it’s common for it to make some noise. These sounds, including the burners firing up and the blower whirring, are all part of the usual start-up procedures.

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

1. Request Yearly Furnace Maintenance

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

It can also help our professionals spot minor issues that can make your furnace loud. And maybe help you avoid a meltdown on the most frigid day of the year. The Indoor Air Quality Association reports that annual maintenance can reduce your chance of furnace repairs by up to 95%.

If little furnace troubles go unnoticed, they may result in trouble later on. By discovering these issues sooner, our technicians can get your furnace repaired before heating season is underway.

And most critical, pro 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 expenses, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

2. Frequently Replace Your Furnace’s Air Filter

Your air filter helps keep your residence’s air fresh and clean. When it turns too dirty, it can make your furnace turn on and off too frequently. Called short cycling, this can cause your furnace to eat up additional fuel and make it wear out faster.

Our recommendations for changing your furnace filter:

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

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

3. Contact Pratt Brothers When Your Furnace Is Producing Strange Noises

Some furnaces, especially older ones, can be louder than others. But if you’re noticing extremely loud or odd noises, you should call a heating and cooling company like Pratt Brothers for furnace repair in Jefferson.

Here are a few noises to be looking for, how to take care of them and when to call a professional.

Furnace Making Gurgling or Bubbling Noise

This noise occurs more commonly with high-efficiency furnaces. That’s since they emit fumes differently than older furnaces, and the process can make some moisture. If your furnace is running into difficulties draining this water, it may make gurgling or bubbling sounds. You’ll require experienced support for this issue, since it might 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 can mean a couple of things.

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

All that built-up gas can create a banging or booming noise when your furnace finally does ignite. But this is more than only an irritating noise, as the built-up gas is erupting within your furnace. This can damage 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 noticing this noise, give Pratt Brothers a ring at 920-347-8495. Our heating professionals will get your furnace tuned up and double-check it’s running correctly.

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

We suggest first checking your furnace’s air filter and getting a new one if it’s filthy. Next, double-check you don’t have too many vents sealed in your house, as it can make air pressure uneven.

If neither of these things repair the sound, your ductwork could be dirty or undersized, which will be a need for 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 issue. This is most usually seen with a dying blower fan motor, which will make an irritating buzzing noise when your furnace switches on. It might also mean there’s an issue with the capacitor or transformer. All three of these troubles need help from a skilled heating and cooling company like Pratt Brothers.

Furnace Making Knocking Noise

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

These troubles are often uncovered during annual maintenance provided by a certified HVAC pro. So, while we’re at your home performing repairs, don’t forget to inquire about requesting your maintenance appointment for next year.

Furnace Making Clicking Noise

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

At Pratt Brothers, our professionals 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 920-347-8495 to request an appointment right away.