As your furnace switches on and begins to add warmth to your home, it’s typical for it to make some noise. These sounds, including the burners igniting and the blower whirring, are all part of the usual start-up process.

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

1. Request Yearly Furnace Maintenance

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

It can also help our professionals discover little issues that might make your furnace annoying. And maybe help you sidestep a breakdown on the coldest day of the year. The Indoor Air Quality Association reports that routine maintenance can reduce your likelihood of furnace malfunctions by up to 95%.

If minor furnace problems go unnoticed, they may lead to trouble down the road. By discovering these problems sooner, our technicians can get your furnace fixed before heating season begins.

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

2. Frequently Put in a New Furnace’s Air Filter

Your air filter helps keep your home’s air fresh and clean. When it gets too clogged, it can make your furnace turn on and off more than it should. Known as short cycling, this can cause your furnace to consume additional fuel and make it break down faster.

Our suggestions for replacing your furnace filter:

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

You may have to replace your filter more regularly if you have allergies or pets.

3. Call Forster Heating When Your Furnace Is Making Strange Noises

Some furnaces, often older ones, can be noisier than others. But if you’re noticing very loud or strange noises, you might need to get in touch with a heating and cooling company like Forster Heating for furnace repair in Auburn.

Here are several noises to keep an eye out for, how to repair them and when to contact a professional.

Furnace Making Gurgling or Bubbling Noise

This noise is more common with high-efficiency furnaces. That’s since they exhaust fumes in another way than older furnaces, and the process can produce some moisture. If your furnace is experiencing difficulties discharging this water, it could make gurgling or bubbling sounds. You’ll want experienced support for this problem, since it might 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 a couple of things.

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

All that increased gas can create a banging or booming racket when your furnace finally does ignite. But this is more than just an irritating noise, since the built-up gas is exploding within your furnace. This can break 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 hearing this noise, give Forster Heating a ring at 530-885-8081. Our heating professionals will get your furnace tuned up and ensure it’s working correctly.

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

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

If neither of these steps repair the problem, your ductwork could be dirty or undersized, which will call for assistance from a pro 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 frequently seen with a faltering blower fan motor, which will create an irritating buzzing noise when your furnace turns on. It may also mean there’s an issue with the capacitor or transformer. All three of these troubles need support from a professional heating and cooling company like Forster Heating.

Furnace Making Knocking Noise

If your furnace is making knocking sounds, it’s usually a symptom that an internal piece is going out. This may be anything from a bearing to a belt or the gas valve. It could also be a sign that your burners are dirty.

These troubles are frequently uncovered during regular maintenance provided by a certified HVAC pro. So, while we’re at your house working on repairs, don’t forget to check with us about scheduling your maintenance appointment for the future.

Furnace Making Clicking Noise

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

At Forster Heating, our experts are here to help you enjoy peaceful, energy-efficient comfort. If your furnace is louder than it usually is or producing weird sounds, contact us at 530-885-8081 to schedule an appointment now.