As your furnace starts up and prepares to heat your home, it’s common for it to create some noise. These sounds, including the burners firing up and the blower whirring, are all part of the normal start-up procedures.

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

1. Request Regular Furnace Maintenance

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

It can also help us uncover small issues that might make your furnace loud. And possibly help you avoid a meltdown on the chilliest 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 minor furnace troubles go unnoticed, they may lead to trouble in the future. By unearthing these troubles sooner, our pros can get your furnace repaired before heating season is underway.

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

2. Frequently Replace Your Furnace’s Air Filter

Your air filter helps keep your home’s air fresh and clean. When it turns too dirty, it can make your furnace turn on and off more than it should. Called short cycling, this can cause your furnace to eat up additional gas and make it break down faster.

Our suggestions for installing a new furnace filter:

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

You might have to replace your filter more frequently if you have allergies or pets.

3. Contact H&C Heating and Cooling When Your Furnace Is Creating Odd Noises

Some furnaces, often older ones, could be noisier than others. But if you’re hearing very loud or odd noises, it may be time to call a heating and cooling company like H&C Heating and Cooling for furnace repair in Laurel.

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

Furnace Making Gurgling or Bubbling Noise

This noise occurs more commonly with high-efficiency furnaces. That’s because they exhaust fumes in another way than older furnaces, and the process can create some moisture. If your furnace is experiencing difficulties draining this water, it could make gurgling or bubbling sounds. You’ll need professional 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 can mean several things.

Haven’t had maintenance done recently and your furnace is producing a banging sound when beginning? Its burners might be dirty. Dirty burners can stall ignition, which causes gas to accumulate within your furnace.

All that built-up gas can make a banging or booming noise when your furnace finally does ignite. But this is more than only an irritating noise, because the accumulated gas is exploding within your furnace. This can break your furnace’s heat exchanger and create a deadly carbon monoxide leak.

If you’ve ignored regular maintenance for your furnace and you’re noticing this noise, give H&C Heating and Cooling a ring at 301-960-3247. Our heating professionals will get your furnace tuned up and ensure 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 dirty. Next, ensure you don’t have too many vents sealed in your home, 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 call for assistance from a skilled HVAC technician.

Furnace Making Humming or Buzzing Noise

If your furnace is buzzing or humming, it’s a symptom there’s an electrical problem. This is most frequently seen with a faltering blower fan motor, which will produce an annoying buzzing noise when your furnace switches on. It could also mean there’s an issue with the capacitor or transformer. All three of these troubles need help from a professional heating and cooling company like H&C Heating and Cooling.

Furnace Making Knocking Noise

If your furnace is making knocking sounds, it’s typically a symptom that an internal component is breaking down. This can 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 usually uncovered during annual maintenance provided by a certified HVAC tech. So, while we’re at your residence working on repairs, don’t forget to ask us about requesting your maintenance appointment for next year.

Furnace Making Clicking Noise

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

At H&C Heating and Cooling, our experts are here to help you enjoy peaceful, energy-efficient comfort. If your furnace is louder than it typically is or producing weird sounds, contact us at 301-960-3247 to get an appointment now.