As your furnace switches on and prepares to add warmth to your residence, it’s common for it to produce some noise. These sounds, such as the burners lighting and the blower whirring, are all part of the typical start-up procedures.

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

1. Schedule Annual Furnace Maintenance

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

It can also help our pros find minor issues that could make your furnace loud. And maybe help you avoid a breakdown on the coldest day of the year. The Indoor Air Quality Association reports that annual maintenance can decrease your likelihood of furnace meltdowns by up to 95%.

If small furnace problems go undetected, they may result in trouble down the road. By unearthing these problems sooner, our techs can get your furnace repaired before heating season is at its peak.

And most essential, specialized 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 costs, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

2. Frequently Change Your Furnace’s Air Filter

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

Our recommendations for changing your furnace filter:

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

You could have to install a new filter more frequently if you have allergies or pets.

3. Call Ohler & Holzhauer Inc. When Your Furnace Is Producing Strange Noises

Some furnaces, particularly older ones, can be louder than others. But if you’re detecting exceedingly loud or weird noises, you might need to contact a heating and cooling company like Ohler & Holzhauer Inc. for furnace repair in Port Clinton.

Here are a couple of noises to keep an eye out for, how to solve them and when to get in touch with a pro.

Furnace Making Gurgling or Bubbling Noise

This noise is more common with high-efficiency furnaces. That’s since they discharge fumes differently than older furnaces, and the process can produce some moisture. If your furnace is running into difficulties discharging this water, it might make gurgling or bubbling sounds. You’ll want professional support for this trouble, since it could 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 scheduled maintenance recently and your furnace is creating a banging sound when turning on? Its burners could be dirty. Dirty burners can stall ignition, which causes gas to accumulate in your furnace.

All that accumulated gas can cause a banging or booming racket when your furnace eventually does ignite. But this is more than just an irritating noise, as the increased gas is exploding within your furnace. This can crack your furnace’s heat exchanger and cause a life-threatening carbon monoxide leak.

If you’ve forgotten regular service for your furnace and you’re detecting this noise, give Ohler & Holzhauer Inc. a call at 419-465-8722. 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 starts, because the metal is expanding and contracting.

We suggest first looking at your furnace’s air filter and installing a new one if it’s dirty. Next, make sure you don’t have too many vents closed in your residence, as it can throw off air pressure.

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

Furnace Making Humming or Buzzing Noise

If your furnace is buzzing or humming, it’s a sign there’s electrical troubles. This is most frequently seen with a sputtering blower fan motor, which will produce an irritating buzzing noise when your furnace switches on. 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 Ohler & Holzhauer Inc..

Furnace Making Knocking Noise

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

These problems 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 ask us about booking your maintenance appointment for next year.

Furnace Making Clicking Noise

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

At Ohler & Holzhauer Inc., our experts are here to help you unwind in peaceful, energy-efficient comfort. If your furnace is louder than it usually is or producing odd sounds, contact us at 419-465-8722 to request an appointment today.