As your furnace starts up and prepares to heat your house, it’s expected for it to create some noise. These sounds, like the burners lighting and the blower running, are all part of the typical start-up process.

But there are a few things you can do to make your furnace run more quietly this winter.

1. Request Annual Furnace Maintenance

Furnace maintenance is very important, as it keeps your manufacturer warranty ongoing. This helps protect you if something big stops working in your furnace during your warranty period.

It can also help our professionals uncover small issues that can make your furnace annoying. And possibly help you sidestep a meltdown on the most frigid day of the year. The Indoor Air Quality Association reports that annual maintenance can reduce your probability of furnace repairs by up to 95%.

If little furnace issues go unnoticed, they may lead to trouble down the road. By finding these troubles sooner, our professionals can get your furnace taken care of before heating season is in full swing.

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 gas 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 becomes too filthy, it can make your furnace turn on and off too frequently. Known as short cycling, this can cause your furnace to consume additional fuel and make it wear out faster.

Our suggestions for replacing your furnace filter:

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

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

3. Contact GLR Mechanical When Your Furnace Is Producing Weird Noises

Some furnaces, often older ones, might be louder than others. But if you’re noticing extremely loud or weird noises, you should get in touch with a heating and cooling company like GLR Mechanical for furnace repair in Wilkes Barre and Scranton.

Here are a few noises to be looking for, how to fix them and when to contact a specialist.

Furnace Making Gurgling or Bubbling Noise

This noise happens more frequently with high-efficiency furnaces. That’s because they discharge fumes in another way than older furnaces, and the process can produce some moisture. If your furnace is experiencing difficulties draining this water, it may make gurgling or bubbling sounds. You’ll require professional support for this issue, since it might 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 might mean a few things.

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

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

If you’ve ignored regular tune-ups for your furnace and you’re detecting this noise, give GLR Mechanical a ring at 570-309-0403. Our heating professionals will get your furnace tuned up and ensure it’s operating correctly.

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

We advise first checking your furnace’s air filter and installing a new one if it’s clogged. Next, double-check you don’t have too many vents closed in your home, as it can throw off air pressure.

If neither of these methods repair the sound, your ductwork could be dirty or undersized, which will be a need for assistance from a professional HVAC tech.

Furnace Making Humming or Buzzing Noise

If your furnace is buzzing or humming, it’s a symptom there’s an electrical issue. This is most frequently seen with a sputtering blower fan motor, which will produce an annoying buzzing noise when your furnace turns on. It can also mean there’s a problem with the capacitor or transformer. All three of these problems need support from a professional heating and cooling company like GLR Mechanical.

Furnace Making Knocking Noise

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

These problems are often uncovered during annual maintenance performed by a certified HVAC tech. So, while we’re at your home performing repairs, don’t forget to check with us about booking your maintenance appointment for the upcoming year.

Furnace Making Clicking Noise

A clicking sound could be the result of troubles: worn bearings, gas valve problems or ignition issues. All these problems need specialized support.

At GLR Mechanical, our experts are here to help you relax in peaceful, energy-efficient comfort. If your furnace is louder than it typically is or producing odd sounds, contact us at 570-309-0403 to get an appointment now.