As your furnace switches on and gets ready to warm up your home, it’s common for it to create some noise. These sounds, like the burners lighting and the blower operating, are all part of the normal start-up procedures.

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

1. Book Regular Furnace Maintenance

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

It can also help our professionals spot minor issues that might make your furnace noisy. And potentially help you sidestep a meltdown on the coldest day of the year. The Indoor Air Quality Association reports that regular maintenance can lower your chance of furnace malfunctions by up to 95%.

If small furnace issues go ignored, they may lead to trouble in the future. By discovering these problems sooner, our technicians can get your furnace taken care of before heating season is underway.

And most important, pro 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 energy bills, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

2. Routinely Change Your Furnace’s Air Filter

Your air filter helps keep your home’s air fresh and clean. When it becomes too clogged, 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 fuel and make it stop working faster.

Our recommendations for replacing your furnace filter:

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

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

3. Contact JTech Mechanical When Your Furnace Is Making Strange Noises

Some furnaces, particularly older ones, can be louder than others. But if you’re noticing very loud or strange noises, it may be time to call a heating and cooling company like JTech Mechanical for furnace repair in Magnolia.

Here are a couple of 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 is more common with high-efficiency furnaces. That’s since they exhaust fumes differently than older furnaces, and the process can make some moisture. If your furnace is experiencing difficulties draining this water, it might make gurgling or bubbling sounds. You’ll need professional support for this issue, since it can 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 may mean several things.

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

All that built-up gas can cause a banging or booming noise when your furnace ultimately does ignite. But this is more than only an irritating noise, as the increased gas is erupting within your furnace. This can crack your furnace’s heat exchanger and make a life-threatening carbon monoxide leak.

If you’ve overlooked regular service for your furnace and you’re hearing this noise, give JTech Mechanical a shout at 281-231-8768. Our heating specialists will get your furnace tuned up and double-check it’s operating 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 clogged. Next, ensure you don’t have too many vents sealed in your residence, as it can throw off air pressure.

If neither of these steps repair the problem, your ductwork may be dirty or undersized, which will be a need for assistance from a professional 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 faltering blower fan motor, which will produce a loud buzzing noise when your furnace switches on. It can also mean there’s a problem with the capacitor or transformer. All three of these issues need help from a professional heating and cooling company like JTech Mechanical.

Furnace Making Knocking Noise

If your furnace is making knocking sounds, it’s often a symptom that an internal part is dying. 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 troubles are typically uncovered during annual maintenance performed by a certified HVAC pro. So, while we’re at your home performing 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 troubles need pro help.

At JTech Mechanical, our pros are here to help you relax in peaceful, energy-efficient comfort. If your furnace is louder than it typically is or producing strange sounds, contact us at 281-231-8768 to request an appointment right away.