As your furnace turns on and gets ready to heat your house, it’s typical for it to create some noise. These sounds, such as the burners igniting and the blower operating, are all part of the typical start-up process.

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

1. Book Annual Furnace Maintenance

Furnace maintenance is extremely important, as 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 our professionals find minor issues that could make your furnace annoying. And potentially help you sidestep a meltdown on the coldest day of the year. The Indoor Air Quality Association reports that routine maintenance can decrease your chance of furnace breakdowns by up to 95%.

If minor furnace problems go ignored, they may result in trouble down the road. By unearthing these issues sooner, our techs can get your furnace fixed 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 well-maintained furnace could save up to 30% on your energy bills, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

2. Regularly Change Your Furnace’s Air Filter

Your air filter helps keep your home’s air fresh and clean. When it gets too dirty, it can make your furnace turn on and off too often. Known as short cycling, this can cause your furnace to eat up additional gas and make it stop working faster.

Our suggestions for installing a new furnace filter:

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

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

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

Some furnaces, especially older ones, might be louder than others. But if you’re detecting very loud or strange noises, you might need to 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 take care of them and when to contact a specialist.

Furnace Making Gurgling or Bubbling Noise

This noise happens more frequently with high-efficiency furnaces. That’s due to the fact they discharge fumes differently than older furnaces, and the process can make some moisture. If your furnace is experiencing difficulties draining this water, it may 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 good thing when your furnace is making a banging sound. It could mean a few things.

Haven’t scheduled maintenance recently and your furnace is producing a banging sound when turning on? Its burners could be dirty. Dirty burners can delay ignition, which results in gas accumulating within your furnace.

All that accumulated gas can make a banging or booming racket when your furnace ultimately} does ignite. But this is more than just an irritating noise, because the increased gas is igniting within your furnace. This can crack 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 detecting this noise, give May's Heating & Air a shout at 301-690-0397. Our heating pros will get your furnace tuned up and double-check it’s running correctly.

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

We advise first looking at your furnace’s air filter and replacing it if it’s dirty. Next, make sure you don’t have too many vents shut in your residence, as it can make air pressure uneven.

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

Furnace Making Humming or Buzzing Noise

If your furnace is buzzing or humming, it’s a flag there’s electrical troubles. This is most frequently seen with a faltering blower fan motor, which will make a loud buzzing noise when your furnace starts. It could also mean there’s trouble with the capacitor or transformer. All three of these issues need help from a professional heating and cooling company like May's Heating & Air.

Furnace Making Knocking Noise

If your furnace is making knocking sounds, it’s usually a symptom that an internal part is going out. This can be anything from a bearing to a belt or the gas valve. It may also be a symptom that your burners need to be cleaned.

These issues are typically uncovered during yearly maintenance performed by a certified HVAC professional. So, while we’re at your house performing repairs, don’t forget to check with us about scheduling your maintenance appointment for next year.

Furnace Making Clicking Noise

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

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