As your furnace turns on and gets ready to warm up your home, it’s normal for it to make some noise. These sounds, like the burners lighting and the blower whirring, are all part of the typical start-up procedures.

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

1. Request Annual Furnace Maintenance

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

It can also help our pros spot little issues that could make your furnace annoying. And potentially help you avoid a meltdown on the chilliest day of the year. The Indoor Air Quality Association reports that routine maintenance can lower your chance of furnace repairs by up to 95%.

If little furnace issues go ignored, they may cause trouble later on. By uncovering these issues sooner, our techs can get your furnace fixed 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 properly maintained furnace could save up to 30% on your gas bills, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

2. Routinely Change Your Furnace’s Air Filter

Your air filter helps keep your residence’s air fresh and clean. When it gets too filthy, it can make your furnace turn on and off too frequently. Referred to as short cycling, this can cause your furnace to consume additional fuel and make it break down faster.

Our suggestions for installing a new furnace filter:

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

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

3. Call 1st Choice Heating & Air Conditioning When Your Furnace Is Creating Strange Noises

Some furnaces, particularly older ones, may be louder than others. But if you’re detecting very loud or strange noises, you should contact a heating and cooling company like 1st Choice Heating & Air Conditioning for furnace repair in Mission Viejo.

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

Furnace Making Gurgling or Bubbling Noise

This noise occurs more commonly with high-efficiency furnaces. That’s due to the fact they emit fumes in another way than older furnaces, and the process can make some moisture. If your furnace is experiencing difficulties discharging this water, it could make gurgling or bubbling sounds. You’ll want professional support for this issue, 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 may mean several things.

Haven’t had maintenance done recently and your furnace is producing a banging sound when beginning? Its burners could be dirty. Dirty burners can hold up ignition, which causes gas to accumulate inside your furnace.

All that built-up gas can make a banging or booming racket when your furnace ultimately does ignite. But this is more than only an irritating noise, since the built-up gas is erupting within your furnace. This can break your furnace’s heat exchanger and create a life-threatening carbon monoxide leak.

If you’ve neglected regular service for your furnace and you’re hearing this noise, give 1st Choice Heating & Air Conditioning a shout at 949-204-0859. Our heating pros will get your furnace tuned up and ensure it’s running correctly.

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

We suggest first looking at your furnace’s air filter and installing a new one if it’s filthy. Next, ensure you don’t have too many vents closed in your house, as it can force air pressure out of balance.

If neither of these steps repair the issue, your ductwork might be dirty or undersized, which will call for assistance from a skilled HVAC technician.

Furnace Making Humming or Buzzing Noise

If your furnace is buzzing or humming, it’s a symptom there’s an electrical problem. This is most often seen with a dying blower fan motor, which will produce an irritating buzzing noise when your furnace begins to heat. It could also mean there’s an issue with the capacitor or transformer. All three of these problems need support from a skilled heating and cooling company like 1st Choice Heating & Air Conditioning.

Furnace Making Knocking Noise

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

These issues are frequently uncovered during regular maintenance performed by a certified HVAC technician. So, while we’re at your home 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 problems: worn bearings, gas valve problems or ignition problems. All these issues need skilled support.

At 1st Choice Heating & Air Conditioning, our professionals are here to help you enjoy peaceful, energy-efficient comfort. If your furnace is louder than it typically is or producing odd sounds, contact us at 949-204-0859 to request an appointment right away.