As your furnace turns on and begins to warm up your house, it’s common for it to make some noise. These sounds, such as the burners igniting and the blower whirring, are all part of the normal start-up procedures.

But there are several things you can do to make your furnace run more quietly this winter.

1. Schedule Yearly Furnace Maintenance

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

It can also help our pros uncover minor issues that can make your furnace annoying. And possibly help you avoid a breakdown on the most frigid day of the year. The Indoor Air Quality Association reports that annual maintenance can decrease your probability of furnace malfunctions by up to 95%.

If minor furnace troubles go unnoticed, they may result in trouble later on. By unearthing these problems sooner, our techs can get your furnace taken care of before heating season is at its peak.

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

2. Regularly Replace Your Furnace’s Air Filter

Your air filter helps keep your residence’s air fresh and clean. When it turns too clogged, it can make your furnace turn on and off more than it should. Called short cycling, this can cause your furnace to use additional fuel and make it stop working faster.

Our advice for installing a new furnace filter:

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

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

3. Get in Touch with Strine's When Your Furnace Is Making Odd Noises

Some furnaces, especially older ones, might be louder than others. But if you’re hearing very loud or strange noises, you should get in touch with a heating and cooling company like Strine's for furnace repair in York.

Here are a couple of noises to keep an eye out for, how to fix them and when to contact a professional.

Furnace Making Gurgling or Bubbling Noise

This noise happens more frequently with high-efficiency furnaces. That’s since they emit fumes differently than older furnaces, and the process can create some moisture. If your furnace is experiencing difficulties draining this water, it could make gurgling or bubbling sounds. You’ll need professional support for this problem, since it could 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 couple of things.

Haven’t had maintenance done recently and your furnace is creating a banging sound when turning on? Its burners may be dirty. Dirty burners can stall ignition, which leads gas to accumulate in your furnace.

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

If you’ve neglected regular service for your furnace and you’re noticing this noise, give Strine's a shout at 717-383-4479. Our heating professionals will get your furnace tuned up and make sure it’s running correctly.

Your ductwork can also produce banging sounds when your furnace turns on, as the metal is expanding and contracting.

We suggest first inspecting 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 force air pressure out of balance.

If neither of these methods repair the sound, your ductwork might be dirty or undersized, which will be a need for 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 usually seen with a sputtering blower fan motor, which will produce a loud buzzing noise when your furnace switches on. It might also mean there’s a problem with the capacitor or transformer. All three of these issues need support from a professional heating and cooling company like Strine's.

Furnace Making Knocking Noise

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

These problems are usually uncovered during regular maintenance performed by a certified HVAC pro. So, while we’re at your residence doing repairs, don’t forget to check with us about scheduling your maintenance appointment for the future.

Furnace Making Clicking Noise

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

At Strine's, 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 717-383-4479 to get an appointment now.