As your furnace turns on and gets ready to heat your residence, it’s common for it to produce some noise. These sounds, like the burners igniting and the blower operating, are all part of the usual start-up procedures.

But there are several steps you can do to make your furnace run more quietly this winter.

1. Request Regular Furnace Maintenance

Furnace maintenance is highly 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 us uncover little issues that could make your furnace loud. And maybe help you sidestep a meltdown on the most frigid day of the year. The Indoor Air Quality Association reports that regular maintenance can reduce your chance of furnace malfunctions by up to 95%.

If little furnace issues go unnoticed, they may result in trouble down the road. By finding these issues sooner, our technicians can get your furnace fixed 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 well-maintained furnace could save up to 30% on your utility costs, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

2. Frequently Change Your 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 more than it should. Called short cycling, this can cause your furnace to use additional energy and make it wear out faster.

Our advice for replacing your furnace filter:

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

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

3. Contact HCE Systems When Your Furnace Is Creating Weird Noises

Some furnaces, often older ones, might be louder than others. But if you’re detecting exceedingly loud or weird noises, it may be time to contact a heating and cooling company like HCE Systems for furnace repair in Norton.

Here are several noises to be looking for, how to take care of them and when to get in touch with a pro.

Furnace Making Gurgling or Bubbling Noise

This noise is more common with high-efficiency furnaces. That’s since they discharge fumes in another way than older furnaces, and the process can produce some moisture. If your furnace is having difficulties removing this water, it might make gurgling or bubbling sounds. You’ll want professional support for this trouble, since it can 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 might mean a couple of things.

Haven’t had maintenance done recently and your furnace is creating a banging sound when turning on? Its burners may be dirty. Dirty burners can delay ignition, which results in gas accumulating in your furnace.

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

If you’ve forgotten regular tune-ups for your furnace and you’re hearing this noise, give HCE Systems a shout at 276-302-0076. Our heating professionals will get your furnace tuned up and double-check it’s working correctly.

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

We advise first checking your furnace’s air filter and installing a new one if it’s dirty. Next, make sure you don’t have too many vents shut in your house, as it can throw off air pressure.

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

Furnace Making Humming or Buzzing Noise

If your furnace is buzzing or humming, it’s a flag there’s an electrical problem. This is most usually seen with a sputtering blower fan motor, which will produce a loud buzzing noise when your furnace begins to heat. It can also mean there’s trouble with the capacitor or transformer. All three of these troubles need assistance from a skilled heating and cooling company like HCE Systems.

Furnace Making Knocking Noise

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

These issues are often uncovered during regular maintenance performed by a certified HVAC professional. So, while we’re at your house performing repairs, don’t forget to ask us about requesting your maintenance appointment for the future.

Furnace Making Clicking Noise

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

At HCE Systems, our pros are here to help you unwind in peaceful, energy-efficient comfort. If your furnace is louder than normal or producing strange sounds, contact us at 276-302-0076 to get an appointment right away.