As your furnace switches on and prepares to heat your home, it’s common for it to create some noise. These sounds, such as the burners firing up and the blower running, are all part of the usual start-up process.

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

1. Book Yearly Furnace Maintenance

Furnace maintenance is very important, because it keeps your manufacturer warranty in place. This helps shield you if something big stops working in your furnace during your warranty time.

It can also help our professionals discover little issues that can make your furnace noisy. And possibly help you sidestep a malfunction on the coldest day of the year. The Indoor Air Quality Association reports that regular maintenance can decrease your probability of furnace repairs by up to 95%.

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

And most critical, pro cleaning and lubrication of your furnace’s moving pieces can help make it more efficient. A properly maintained furnace could save up to 30% on your energy expenses, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

2. Regularly Install a New Furnace’s Air Filter

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

Our suggestions for changing your furnace filter:

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

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

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

Some furnaces, particularly older ones, can be louder than others. But if you’re noticing exceedingly loud or strange noises, you might need to call a heating and cooling company like Brandywine Heating & Air for furnace repair in Wilmington.

Here are a few noises to keep an eye out for, how to take care of them and when to call a professional.

Furnace Making Gurgling or Bubbling Noise

This noise is more common with high-efficiency furnaces. That’s because they discharge fumes dissimilarly than older furnaces, and the process can create some moisture. If your furnace is running into difficulties draining this water, it can make gurgling or bubbling sounds. You’ll want skilled support for this trouble, 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 can mean several things.

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

All that built-up gas can cause a banging or booming sound when your furnace eventually does ignite. But this is more than just an irritating noise, because the increased gas is erupting within your furnace. This can crack your furnace’s heat exchanger and create a deadly carbon monoxide leak.

If you’ve neglected regular tune-ups for your furnace and you’re detecting this noise, give Brandywine Heating & Air a ring at 302-261-3596. Our heating specialists will get your furnace tuned up and make sure it’s running correctly.

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

We advise first looking at your furnace’s air filter and installing a new one if it’s clogged. Next, ensure you don’t have too many vents shut in your home, as it can make air pressure uneven.

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

Furnace Making Humming or Buzzing Noise

If your furnace is buzzing or humming, it’s a flag there’s an electrical issue. This is most often seen with a dying blower fan motor, which will make a loud buzzing noise when your furnace turns on. It could also mean there’s an issue with the capacitor or transformer. All three of these issues need support from a professional heating and cooling company like Brandywine Heating & Air.

Furnace Making Knocking Noise

If your furnace is making knocking sounds, it’s frequently a symptom that an internal piece is breaking down. This might be anything from a bearing to a belt or the gas valve. It may also be a symptom that your burners are dirty.

These troubles are often uncovered during annual maintenance provided by a certified HVAC tech. So, while we’re at your house working on repairs, don’t forget to ask us about requesting your maintenance appointment for the future.

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 specialized support.

At Brandywine Heating & Air, our experts are here to help you unwind in peaceful, energy-efficient comfort. If your furnace is louder than normal or producing weird sounds, contact us at 302-261-3596 to request an appointment now.