As your furnace switches on and begins to warm up your home, it’s expected for it to create some noise. These sounds, including the burners firing up and the blower running, are all part of the typical start-up process.

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

1. Schedule Yearly Furnace Maintenance

Furnace maintenance is highly important, since it keeps your manufacturer warranty ongoing. This helps defend you if something huge stops working in your furnace during your warranty period.

It can also help us discover small issues that might make your furnace annoying. And potentially help you avoid a meltdown on the coldest day of the year. The Indoor Air Quality Association reports that routine maintenance can reduce your probability of furnace malfunctions by up to 95%.

If small furnace troubles go unnoticed, they may lead to trouble in the future. By finding these troubles sooner, our techs can get your furnace repaired before heating season is underway.

And most important, 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 heating costs, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

2. Frequently Change Your Furnace’s Air Filter

Your air filter helps keep your house’s air fresh and clean. When it turns too filthy, it can make your furnace turn on and off too frequently. Known as short cycling, this can cause your furnace to eat up additional fuel and make it stop working faster.

Our recommendations for replacing your furnace filter:

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

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

3. Contact Vogts Heating & Air When Your Furnace Is Making Strange Noises

Some furnaces, particularly older ones, might be noisier than others. But if you’re hearing exceedingly loud or strange noises, it may be time to get in touch with a heating and cooling company like Vogts Heating & Air for furnace repair in Pocatello.

Here are several noises to keep an eye out for, how to repair them and when to call a pro.

Furnace Making Gurgling or Bubbling Noise

This noise happens more frequently with high-efficiency furnaces. That’s since they exhaust fumes in another way than older furnaces, and the process can make some moisture. If your furnace is having difficulties removing this water, it may make gurgling or bubbling sounds. You’ll require professional support for this trouble, since it might 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 can mean a couple of things.

Haven’t requested maintenance recently and your furnace is creating a banging sound when starting? Its burners might be dirty. Dirty burners can delay ignition, which results in gas accumulating within your furnace.

All that built-up gas can make a banging or booming noise when your furnace ultimately does ignite. But this is more than merely an irritating noise, because the increased 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 overlooked regular service for your furnace and you’re detecting this noise, give Vogts Heating & Air a ring at 208-621-0129. Our heating professionals will get your furnace tuned up and double-check it’s working correctly.

Your ductwork can also create banging sounds when your furnace starts, since 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, ensure 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 sound, your ductwork could be dirty or undersized, which will call for assistance from a professional HVAC tech.

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 a loud buzzing noise when your furnace begins to heat. It can 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 Vogts Heating & Air.

Furnace Making Knocking Noise

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

These issues are often uncovered during regular maintenance performed by a certified HVAC tech. So, while we’re at your home performing repairs, don’t forget to ask us about booking your maintenance appointment for the future.

Furnace Making Clicking Noise

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

At Vogts Heating & Air, our experts are here to help you unwind in peaceful, energy-efficient comfort. If your furnace is louder than it typically is or producing weird sounds, contact us at 208-621-0129 to book an appointment right away.