As your furnace turns on and gets ready to add warmth to your house, it’s common for it to produce some noise. These sounds, such as the burners igniting and the blower whirring, are all part of the usual start-up procedures.

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

1. Book Yearly Furnace Maintenance

Furnace maintenance is extremely important, since it keeps your manufacturer warranty in place. This helps protect you if something huge stops working in your furnace during your warranty time.

It can also help us find minor issues that can make your furnace loud. And possibly help you sidestep a breakdown on the chilliest day of the year. The Indoor Air Quality Association reports that annual maintenance can reduce your chance of furnace breakdowns by up to 95%.

If little furnace problems go unnoticed, they may cause trouble later on. By discovering these issues sooner, our techs can get your furnace fixed before heating season is underway.

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

2. Regularly Install a New Furnace’s Air Filter

Your air filter helps keep your home’s air fresh and clean. When it gets too clogged, it can make your furnace turn on and off too frequently. Referred to as short cycling, this can cause your furnace to eat up additional energy and make it stop working faster.

Our advice for changing your furnace filter:

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

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

3. Get in Touch with Alpine Summit Heating & Cooling When Your Furnace Is Creating Weird Noises

Some furnaces, often older ones, might make more noise than others. But if you’re noticing exceedingly loud or strange noises, you might need to get in touch with a heating and cooling company like Alpine Summit Heating & Cooling for furnace repair in Athol.

Here are a couple of noises to be on the lookout for, how to take care of them and when to contact a professional.

Furnace Making Gurgling or Bubbling Noise

This noise occurs more commonly with high-efficiency furnaces. That’s since they discharge fumes differently than older furnaces, and the process can produce some moisture. If your furnace is experiencing difficulties removing this water, it might make gurgling or bubbling sounds. You’ll want skilled support for this issue, since it may 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 may mean several things.

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

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

If you’ve forgotten regular maintenance for your furnace and you’re hearing this noise, give Alpine Summit Heating & Cooling a call at 208-561-1226. Our heating pros will get your furnace tuned up and ensure it’s operating correctly.

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

We suggest first checking your furnace’s air filter and replacing it if it’s filthy. Next, ensure you don’t have too many vents sealed in your house, as it can throw off air pressure.

If neither of these steps repair the problem, your ductwork might 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 flag there’s an electrical problem. This is most frequently seen with a dying blower fan motor, which will create a loud buzzing noise when your furnace begins to heat. It may also mean there’s a problem with the capacitor or transformer. All three of these troubles need support from an experienced heating and cooling company like Alpine Summit Heating & Cooling.

Furnace Making Knocking Noise

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

These issues are typically uncovered during regular maintenance done by a certified HVAC technician. So, while we’re at your home working on repairs, don’t forget to check with us about scheduling your maintenance appointment for the future.

Furnace Making Clicking Noise

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

At Alpine Summit Heating & Cooling, our professionals are here to help you unwind in peaceful, energy-efficient comfort. If your furnace is louder than it typically is or producing strange sounds, contact us at 208-561-1226 to book an appointment right away.