As your furnace turns on and begins to add warmth to your home, it’s expected for it to create some noise. These sounds, including the burners lighting and the blower whirring, are all part of the typical start-up steps.

But there are a couple of steps 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 protect you if something big stops working in your furnace during your warranty time.

It can also help our pros spot little issues that can make your furnace noisy. And possibly help you avoid a meltdown on the coldest day of the year. The Indoor Air Quality Association reports that regular maintenance can decrease your likelihood of furnace malfunctions by up to 95%.

If little furnace problems go unnoticed, they may lead to trouble later on. By discovering these troubles sooner, our techs can get your furnace repaired before heating season is underway.

And most important, specialized 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 costs, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

2. Regularly Change Your Furnace’s Air Filter

Your air filter helps keep your house’s air fresh and clean. When it turns too dirty, it can make your furnace turn on and off more than it should. Referred to as short cycling, this can cause your furnace to consume additional energy and make it break down faster.

Our advice for installing a new furnace filter:

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

You may have to install a new filter more regularly if you have allergies or pets.

3. Get in Touch with B & G HVAC When Your Furnace Is Making Weird Noises

Some furnaces, particularly older ones, could be louder than others. But if you’re noticing exceedingly loud or odd noises, you might need to contact a heating and cooling company like B & G HVAC for furnace repair in Marshalltown.

Here are a few noises to be looking for, how to repair them and when to get in touch with a specialist.

Furnace Making Gurgling or Bubbling Noise

This noise occurs more commonly with high-efficiency furnaces. That’s since they discharge fumes in another way than older furnaces, and the process can create some moisture. If your furnace is running into difficulties draining this water, it might make gurgling or bubbling sounds. You’ll need experienced} support for this issue, since it could 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 might mean a few things.

Haven’t scheduled maintenance recently and your furnace is making a banging sound when beginning? Its burners may be dirty. Dirty burners can delay ignition, which leads gas to accumulate inside your furnace.

All that accumulated gas can cause a banging or booming sound when your furnace ultimately} does ignite. But this is more than only an irritating noise, because the built-up gas is igniting within your furnace. This can damage your furnace’s heat exchanger and cause a deadly carbon monoxide leak.

If you’ve neglected regular service for your furnace and you’re detecting this noise, give B & G HVAC a call at 641-316-3360. Our heating specialists will get your furnace tuned up and make sure it’s running correctly.

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

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

If neither of these things repair the issue, your ductwork could be dirty or undersized, which will be a need for assistance from a skilled HVAC technician.

Furnace Making Humming or Buzzing Noise

If your furnace is buzzing or humming, it’s a flag there’s electrical troubles. This is most often seen with a dying blower fan motor, which will make a loud buzzing noise when your furnace turns on. It might also mean there’s an issue with the capacitor or transformer. All three of these problems need help from an experienced heating and cooling company like B & G HVAC.

Furnace Making Knocking Noise

If your furnace is making knocking sounds, it’s usually 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 cleaning.

These troubles are usually uncovered during annual maintenance done by a certified HVAC professional. So, while we’re at your residence doing repairs, don’t forget to ask us about requesting your maintenance appointment for next year.

Furnace Making Clicking Noise

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

At B & G HVAC, our experts 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 641-316-3360 to book an appointment today.