As your furnace switches on and begins to warm up your house, it’s common for it to produce some noise. These sounds, like the burners lighting and the blower running, are all part of the normal start-up process.

But there are a few approaches you can do to make your furnace run more quietly this winter.

1. Request Regular Furnace Maintenance

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

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

If little furnace troubles go unnoticed, they may cause trouble in the future. By unearthing these troubles sooner, our technicians can get your furnace taken care of before heating season is underway.

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

2. Frequently Install a New Furnace’s Air Filter

Your air filter helps keep your residence’s air fresh and clean. When it turns too clogged, it can make your furnace turn on and off more than it should. Referred to as short cycling, this can cause your furnace to eat up additional gas and make it stop working faster.

Our recommendations for changing your furnace filter:

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

You may have to replace your filter more often if you have allergies or pets.

3. Call Walter's-Eaton's Electric, Plumbing, Heating & AC When Your Furnace Is Creating Strange Noises

Some furnaces, especially older ones, can make more noise than others. But if you’re noticing extremely loud or odd noises, it may be time to call a heating and cooling company like Walter's-Eaton's Electric, Plumbing, Heating & AC for furnace repair in Ellsworth.

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

Furnace Making Gurgling or Bubbling Noise

This noise happens more frequently with high-efficiency furnaces. That’s due to the fact they emit fumes dissimilarly than older furnaces, and the process can make some moisture. If your furnace is experiencing difficulties removing this water, it might make gurgling or bubbling sounds. You’ll want pro support for this issue, since it can 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 may mean a few things.

Haven’t had maintenance done recently and your furnace is producing a banging sound when beginning? Its burners may be dirty. Dirty burners can hold up ignition, which results in gas accumulating inside your furnace.

All that accumulated gas can make a banging or booming sound when your furnace finally does ignite. But this is more than just an irritating noise, since the accumulated gas is igniting within your furnace. This can crack your furnace’s heat exchanger and create a deadly carbon monoxide leak.

If you’ve overlooked regular tune-ups for your furnace and you’re hearing this noise, give Walter's-Eaton's Electric, Plumbing, Heating & AC a ring at 715-318-6728. Our heating professionals will get your furnace tuned up and double-check it’s working correctly.

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

We recommend first inspecting your furnace’s air filter and installing a new one if it’s filthy. Next, ensure you don’t have too many vents sealed in your home, as it can throw off air pressure.

If neither of these things repair the sound, your ductwork could be dirty or undersized, which will call for assistance from a pro HVAC tech.

Furnace Making Humming or Buzzing Noise

If your furnace is buzzing or humming, it’s a flag there’s an electrical issue. This is most usually seen with a sputtering blower fan motor, which will make an annoying buzzing noise when your furnace turns on. It can also mean there’s trouble with the capacitor or transformer. All three of these troubles need help from a skilled heating and cooling company like Walter's-Eaton's Electric, Plumbing, Heating & AC.

Furnace Making Knocking Noise

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

These problems are usually uncovered during regular maintenance done by a certified HVAC technician. So, while we’re at your house performing repairs, don’t forget to check with us about booking your maintenance appointment for the future.

Furnace Making Clicking Noise

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

At Walter's-Eaton's Electric, Plumbing, Heating & AC, our pros are here to help you relax in peaceful, energy-efficient comfort. If your furnace is louder than it usually is or producing strange sounds, contact us at 715-318-6728 to book an appointment today.