As your furnace starts up and gets ready to heat your home, it’s common for it to make some noise. These sounds, such as the burners lighting and the blower whirring, are all part of the normal start-up process.

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

1. Request Regular Furnace Maintenance

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

It can also help us find small issues that might make your furnace noisy. And potentially help you avoid a meltdown on the chilliest day of the year. The Indoor Air Quality Association reports that regular maintenance can reduce your likelihood of furnace breakdowns by up to 95%.

If small furnace issues go undetected, they may lead to trouble later on. By finding these troubles sooner, our techs can get your furnace fixed before heating season is at its peak.

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

2. Routinely Replace Your Furnace’s Air Filter

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

Our recommendations for replacing your furnace filter:

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

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

3. Contact Northern Comfort Inc When Your Furnace Is Making Odd Noises

Some furnaces, especially older ones, may make more noise than others. But if you’re hearing extremely loud or odd noises, you might need to call a heating and cooling company like Northern Comfort Inc for furnace repair in Mankato area.

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

Furnace Making Gurgling or Bubbling Noise

This noise is more common with high-efficiency furnaces. That’s because they emit fumes dissimilarly than older furnaces, and the process can create some moisture. If your furnace is running into difficulties removing this water, it might make gurgling or bubbling sounds. You’ll require professional support for this issue, since it could 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 couple of things.

Haven’t had maintenance done recently and your furnace is making a banging sound when beginning? Its burners may be dirty. Dirty burners can delay ignition, which leads gas to accumulate inside your furnace.

All that accumulated gas can make a banging or booming sound when your furnace eventually does ignite. But this is more than merely an irritating noise, because the increased gas is erupting within your furnace. This can damage your furnace’s heat exchanger and make a dangerous carbon monoxide leak.

If you’ve overlooked regular service for your furnace and you’re detecting this noise, give Northern Comfort Inc a shout at 507-387-6596. Our heating pros will get your furnace tuned up and double-check it’s working correctly.

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

We advise first looking at your furnace’s air filter and getting a new one if it’s filthy. Next, make sure you don’t have too many vents shut in your house, as it can throw off air pressure.

If neither of these things repair the issue, your ductwork may be dirty or undersized, which will require assistance from a skilled HVAC specialist.

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 faltering blower fan motor, which will produce a loud buzzing noise when your furnace begins to heat. It can also mean there’s a problem with the capacitor or transformer. All three of these problems need support from a skilled heating and cooling company like Northern Comfort Inc.

Furnace Making Knocking Noise

If your furnace is making knocking sounds, it’s often a symptom that an internal part is dying. This could be anything from a bearing to a belt or the gas valve. It may also be a sign that your burners need cleaning.

These troubles are often uncovered during yearly maintenance done by a certified HVAC technician. So, while we’re at your residence 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 might be the result of problems: worn bearings, gas valve troubles or ignition troubles. All these problems need skilled assistance.

At Northern Comfort Inc, our professionals are here to help you enjoy peaceful, energy-efficient comfort. If your furnace is louder than it usually is or producing odd sounds, contact us at 507-387-6596 to get an appointment now.