Lowering Your Furnace’s Overall Noisiness
A noisy furnace can quickly disrupt your home’s daily schedule. You may notice an odd whistling sound or rumbling that can be heard all the way upstairs. While some functioning noises are normal, your furnace shouldn’t be so loud that it’s distracting. Here are a few of the common causes behind a noisy furnace and what you can do to address them.
Clogged Filters
HVAC filters can cause a lot of issues in your furnace from blocking airflow to lowering overall air quality. If your filters are clogged, they’re more likely to create a loud whistling sound. This is because they’re impeding airflow into the furnace, making it harder for the system to get enough air. You may also notice strange noises if your filter isn’t properly fitted or the correct size for your furnace.
Fortunately, filter issues are often one of the easiest to correct by yourself. It’s important to regularly switch out your filters every one to three months. Investing in pleated options rather than fiberglass will lower how often they need to be replaced.
Leaking Ductwork
Ductwork issues typically cause whistling, banging, or pinging sounds. As pressurized air moves through the ducts, it can leak out through old tears into uninsulated areas. While this issue wastes massive amounts of energy, it also makes it harder for your furnace to efficiently heat the home. Your ductwork may also not be the right size for your furnace, which can cause an unhealthy amount of pressure.
The best way to maintain your ducts is by calling for HVAC maintenance and repairs. Professional service will extend your ductwork’s lifespan and help to minimize efficiency issues like leaks.
Misaligned Drive Belt
High-pitched squealing or squeaking typically comes from the drive belt. These belts are common in older furnaces that need to manually turn the blower. Over time, these belts can lose lubrication, fray, and crack, impacting your system’s ability to distribute warm air.
It’s never a good idea to attempt to maintain these components by yourself. You may not know how to identify the signs that it’s time to replace the part. Rather than risk causing further damage to the system, call for HVAC services immediately. Scheduling regular maintenance throughout the year will ensure all parts of your furnace are functioning correctly.
Malfunctioning Ignition System
Clicking sounds indicate your furnace isn’t able to produce heat. This can be caused by a dirty or damaged flame sensor or a gas valve that won’t open. The flame sensor is responsible for detecting the pilot light so gas can be poured into the system. This part is essential for lowering your home’s risk of gas leaks and carbon monoxide poisoning.
Without gas from the supply valve, your furnace won’t be able to ignite. Valves that won’t open may be broken or suffer from a bad ignition board. Only an industry expert can safely identify the causes behind an ignition issue. You should avoid directly handling any of the gas components in your furnace. Regularly check for any odd smells that may mean there’s a gas leak.
Loose Parts or Panels
One of the most frightening furnace noises you may come across is roaring or violent rattling. Your home’s furnace is a powerful system with a multitude of moving and shaking parts. Without annual maintenance, various bolts and components can rattle loose or fall off altogether. Servicing your furnace at least once or twice a year is the best way to keep it efficient. You never want to risk serious issues developing because your system wasn’t well-maintained.
Fixing Common Furnace Noises
Pinpointing what’s causing your furnace’s noisiness can be difficult. While the issue may be as easy as switching out your filters, it could also be caused by compromised internal parts. Ensure your home is warm and comfortable this winter by learning how to properly care for your furnace. By keeping these tips in mind, you can minimize your furnace’s overall noisiness while prolonging its effective lifespan in your home.
Schedule Professional Maintenance
Don’t underestimate the value of regular professional service appointments throughout the year. Expert service ensures your furnace doesn’t suffer from worn-out belts, loose bolts, or dirty flame sensors. Experienced technicians will clean out your furnace and spot any signs of rust and corrosion. They have the experience and tools to stop issues from spreading and causing extensive damage to the system. HVAC services also keep your furnace running at top speed, lowering your utility bills and future replacement costs. The risk of loud furnace noises will be greatly minimized by calling in a professional in the fall before you start using your heating system.
Use Quality Filters
Your HVAC filters are directly responsible for pulling contaminants out of your breathing air. Once a filter becomes full, it can no longer effectively stop debris and bacteria from getting into your furnace and ductwork. Low indoor air quality can have a huge impact on your health and the cleanliness of your home. Many modern thermostats will track when you should be replacing your filter. The best filter replacement schedule is based on your unique household and indoor air quality needs.
Insulate Ducts
In addition to cleaning your ducts every three to five years, you should also consider insulating them. Insulated ductwork is better protected against pests, external damage, and mold. Your furnace won’t have to work as hard to distribute hot air around the home. Insulation will also make it harder for functioning noises to travel from your furnace through your ducts. Metal ducts inadvertently act as echo chambers, amplifying small noises into thunderous disruptions. When considering duct insulation options, be sure to ask your technician about the material’s sound transmission coefficient rating.
Keep Vents Clear of Debris
Many residential HVAC systems aren’t equipped to deal with closed registers. Shutting certain vents around your home can increase the static pressure in your ducts, making it harder for air to travel. As the pressure builds, your furnace can become noisier due to the additional strain. All of your vents and registers should be unobstructed and clear of dust and dirt. Feel free to vacuum in and around your vents to remove pet hair, small objects, and other contaminants. If you want to utilize your ductwork more efficiently during the winter, consider installing dampers or a zoning system.
Award-Winning HVAC Maintenance
Call Blue Ribbon Cooling & Heating when you need superior HVAC services in and around Bastrop, TX. Our absolute honesty, premium skills, and quality workmanship have made us a community staple for more than 20 years. You can always count on us to offer budget-friendly services that prioritize your family’s indoor comfort. Contact our expert team today to service your heat pump, furnace, or air conditioner. We’re ready to improve your indoor air quality by removing those pesky contaminants from your home. Our Blue Ribbon Champion Plan comes with discounts on repairs, appointment reminders, and priority scheduling. Contact Blue Ribbon Cooling & Heating in Bastrop today for great savings and exceptional HVAC service.