As your furnace starts up and gets ready to warm up your house, it’s normal for it to create some noise. These sounds, including the burners lighting and the blower operating, are all part of the normal start-up steps.

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

1. Book Regular Furnace Maintenance

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

It can also help us find little issues that might make your furnace annoying. And possibly help you sidestep a malfunction on the coldest day of the year. The Indoor Air Quality Association reports that regular maintenance can lower your probability of furnace meltdowns by up to 95%.

If minor furnace problems go ignored, they may cause trouble down the road. By finding these problems sooner, our technicians can get your furnace repaired before heating season begins.

And most essential, specialized cleaning and lubrication of your furnace’s moving components 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. Regularly Install a New Furnace’s Air Filter

Your air filter helps keep your residence’s air fresh and clean. When it turns too filthy, it can make your furnace turn on and off too often. Called short cycling, this can cause your furnace to use additional gas and make it wear out faster.

Our suggestions for replacing your furnace filter:

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

You could have to get a new filter more often if you have allergies or pets.

3. Get in Touch with Contra Costa Heating & AC When Your Furnace Is Creating Weird Noises

Some furnaces, particularly older ones, might make more noise than others. But if you’re detecting extremely loud or weird noises, you should get in touch with a heating and cooling company like Contra Costa Heating & AC for furnace repair in The Bay Area.

Here are a couple of noises to keep an eye out for, how to repair them and when to get in touch with a specialist.

Furnace Making Gurgling or Bubbling Noise

This noise is more common with high-efficiency furnaces. That’s since they discharge fumes in another way than older furnaces, and the process can make some moisture. If your furnace is experiencing difficulties draining this water, it may make gurgling or bubbling sounds. You’ll require experienced} support for this problem, since it may 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 a few 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 racket when your furnace finally} does ignite. But this is more than just an irritating noise, because the built-up gas is igniting within your furnace. This can damage 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 detecting this noise, give Contra Costa Heating & AC a shout at 510-343-9841. Our heating pros will get your furnace tuned up and ensure it’s operating correctly.

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

We suggest first inspecting your furnace’s air filter and installing a new one if it’s clogged. Next, ensure you don’t have too many vents sealed in your residence, as it can make air pressure uneven.

If neither of these steps repair the issue, your ductwork might 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 problem. This is most usually seen with a sputtering blower fan motor, which will produce an annoying buzzing noise when your furnace switches on. It could also mean there’s trouble with the capacitor or transformer. All three of these problems need support from a skilled heating and cooling company like Contra Costa Heating & AC.

Furnace Making Knocking Noise

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

These problems are often uncovered during annual maintenance done by a certified HVAC professional. So, while we’re at your house working on repairs, don’t forget to check with us about booking your maintenance appointment for the upcoming year.

Furnace Making Clicking Noise

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

At Contra Costa Heating & AC, our pros are here to help you enjoy peaceful, energy-efficient comfort. If your furnace is louder than it usually is or producing weird sounds, contact us at 510-343-9841 to schedule an appointment right away.