As your furnace turns on and prepares to add warmth to your house, it’s typical for it to create some noise. These sounds, like the burners lighting and the blower running, are all part of the usual start-up steps.

But there are a couple of 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 ongoing. This helps shield you if something huge stops working in your furnace during your warranty range.

It can also help our professionals spot small issues that could make your furnace loud. And possibly help you sidestep a meltdown on the most frigid day of the year. The Indoor Air Quality Association reports that routine maintenance can reduce your chance of furnace breakdowns by up to 95%.

If little furnace problems go undetected, they may cause trouble later on. By unearthing these issues sooner, our pros can get your furnace repaired before heating season is underway.

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

2. Regularly Replace Your Furnace’s Air Filter

Your air filter helps keep your house’s air fresh and clean. When it turns too clogged, it can make your furnace turn on and off too often. Called short cycling, this can cause your furnace to use additional gas and make it wear out faster.

Our recommendations for installing a new furnace filter:

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

You might have to get a new filter more regularly if you have allergies or pets.

3. Get in Touch with May's Heating & Air When Your Furnace Is Making Weird Noises

Some furnaces, often older ones, can make more noise than others. But if you’re noticing extremely loud or strange noises, you should get in touch with a heating and cooling company like May's Heating & Air for furnace repair in Frederick.

Here are a couple of noises to be looking for, how to fix them and when to call a pro.

Furnace Making Gurgling or Bubbling Noise

This noise is more common with high-efficiency furnaces. That’s since they discharge fumes dissimilarly than older furnaces, and the process can create some moisture. If your furnace is experiencing difficulties discharging this water, it could make gurgling or bubbling sounds. You’ll want skilled 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 might mean a few things.

Haven’t requested maintenance recently and your furnace is creating a banging sound when beginning? Its burners may be dirty. Dirty burners can hold up ignition, which causes gas to accumulate inside your furnace.

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

If you’ve overlooked regular service for your furnace and you’re hearing this noise, give May's Heating & Air a shout at 301-690-0397. Our heating specialists will get your furnace tuned up and ensure it’s operating correctly.

Your ductwork can also produce banging sounds when your furnace starts, because the metal is expanding and contracting.

We recommend first looking at your furnace’s air filter and replacing it if it’s filthy. Next, make sure you don’t have too many vents closed in your home, as it can force air pressure out of balance.

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

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 dying blower fan motor, which will produce an annoying buzzing noise when your furnace turns on. It could also mean there’s a problem with the capacitor or transformer. All three of these issues need support from a skilled heating and cooling company like May's Heating & Air.

Furnace Making Knocking Noise

If your furnace is making knocking sounds, it’s often a symptom that an internal component is worn out. This can be anything from a bearing to a belt or the gas valve. It might also be an indication that your burners need to be cleaned.

These issues are often uncovered during regular maintenance done by a certified HVAC technician. So, while we’re at your home doing repairs, don’t forget to ask us about booking your maintenance appointment for the future.

Furnace Making Clicking Noise

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

At May's Heating & Air, our professionals are here to help you relax in peaceful, energy-efficient comfort. If your furnace is louder than it typically is or producing weird sounds, contact us at 301-690-0397 to request an appointment today.