As your furnace switches on and begins to add warmth to your residence, it’s typical for it to produce some noise. These sounds, like the burners firing up and the blower running, are all part of the usual start-up procedures.

But there are several things you can do to make your furnace less noisy this winter.

1. Schedule Annual Furnace Maintenance

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

It can also help us find little issues that might make your furnace annoying. And possibly help you avoid a meltdown on the chilliest day of the year. The Indoor Air Quality Association reports that regular maintenance can decrease your probability of furnace meltdowns by up to 95%.

If minor furnace troubles go unnoticed, they may result in trouble in the future. By unearthing these troubles sooner, our technicians can get your furnace fixed before heating season is underway.

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

2. Regularly Put in a New Furnace’s Air Filter

Your air filter helps keep your residence’s air fresh and clean. When it gets too clogged, it can make your furnace turn on and off more than it should. Called short cycling, this can cause your furnace to consume additional gas and make it wear out faster.

Our recommendations for changing your furnace filter:

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

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

3. Get in Touch with Refrigeration Systems Ltd. When Your Furnace Is Making Odd Noises

Some furnaces, particularly older ones, could be noisier than others. But if you’re detecting extremely loud or weird noises, it may be time to contact a heating and cooling company like Refrigeration Systems Ltd. for furnace repair in Richmond.

Here are several noises to keep an eye out for, how to fix them and when to call a specialist.

Furnace Making Gurgling or Bubbling Noise

This noise is more common with high-efficiency furnaces. That’s because they exhaust fumes in another way than older furnaces, and the process can produce some moisture. If your furnace is running into difficulties discharging this water, it might make gurgling or bubbling sounds. You’ll need pro support for this trouble, since it may 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 may mean a few things.

Haven’t requested maintenance recently and your furnace is creating a banging sound when starting? Its burners might be dirty. Dirty burners can hold up ignition, which leads gas to accumulate in your furnace.

All that increased gas can cause a banging or booming racket when your furnace eventually does ignite. But this is more than just an irritating noise, as the built-up gas is igniting within your furnace. This can break your furnace’s heat exchanger and make a dangerous carbon monoxide leak.

If you’ve neglected regular tune-ups for your furnace and you’re noticing this noise, give Refrigeration Systems Ltd. a shout at 778-693-2532. Our heating professionals will get your furnace tuned up and make sure it’s operating correctly.

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

We recommend first looking at your furnace’s air filter and getting a new one if it’s clogged. Next, double-check you don’t have too many vents shut in your house, as it can force air pressure out of balance.

If neither of these methods repair the issue, your ductwork could be dirty or undersized, which will require assistance from a professional HVAC technician.

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 often seen with a faltering blower fan motor, which will make a loud buzzing noise when your furnace switches on. It might also mean there’s a problem with the capacitor or transformer. All three of these problems need help from a professional heating and cooling company like Refrigeration Systems Ltd..

Furnace Making Knocking Noise

If your furnace is making knocking sounds, it’s frequently a symptom that an internal component is dying. This may be anything from a bearing to a belt or the gas valve. It can also be a symptom that your burners need cleaning.

These troubles are often uncovered during regular maintenance provided by a certified HVAC tech. So, while we’re at your home working on repairs, don’t forget to ask 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 problems or ignition issues. All these issues need pro support.

At Refrigeration Systems Ltd., our specialists are here to help you enjoy peaceful, energy-efficient comfort. If your furnace is louder than it usually is or producing strange sounds, contact us at 778-693-2532 to request an appointment today.