How to Quiet a Noisy Furnace

Whether you are trying to sleep, get some work done in your office, or just sit in a quiet house and enjoy your book, there is nothing more annoying than hearing the furnace motor click on and the obnoxious blower sound soon to follow. While you may assume this is just the way it is, there actually may be more you can do to quiet things down and stop your heater from making noise than you realize.

Identify the Noise

There are a lot of different things you may be hearing coming out of your furnace, and each one has different remedies. The first step in remedying the situation is to listen to what the noise is that you hear. Is it making a furnace-buzzing noise? Or perhaps your furnace is making a squealing noise. Or perhaps you just hear it and think your furnace fan is making a loud noise and that’s just how it’s supposed to be. The good news is, you probably aren’t in need of repair, as noises from your furnace or heater are a regular occurrence. It is important however, to be on top of addressing any issues to ensure you can keep your furnace functioning optimally.

Come up with a Solution

Even if you aren’t 100% sure of what is causing the noise, there are a few inexpensive things you can do which tend to be a viable solution to fixing most noisy furnace problems:

• Consider the Age

While not necessary a solution to making the noise go away, it can give you piece of mind: old furnaces make more noises that occur more frequently and with more intensity than newer furnaces. Your heater may be making buzzing noises or your furnace making loud noises, and this might just come with age. If you have had your furnace for quite some time, you are likely aware of the noises it makes, so you only need to be concerned if it seems to be a different noise, or the noise is more intense than usual.

• Check your Ductwork

Over time ducts get dirty, can grow mold, and can even become homes for insects and rodents! Any of these issues could be causing increased noise in your furnace, and may mean your ductwork needs to be cleaned. Alternatively, a rattling may mean some of your ducts have come loose, and simply need to have a few turns with the screwdriver.

• Get it Cleaned

Regardless of whether you have noise or not, regularly having your furnace cleaned is critical for fire prevention, air quality, and to help you maintain an efficient heating service that isn’t costing you excess money. Schedule a cleaning annually to ensure you maintain the health and safety of you and your family, as well as the longevity of your furnace.

• Clear your Registers

If the furnace and blower seem to be making a whooshing noise, it may be that your registers are blocked and not allowing adequate air circulation. Check around your house to make sure all the intake and output registers are clear.

Call in the Professionals

If you have had your furnace cleaned, have checked all of the ducts and registers, and still hear a noisy furnace or an annoying blower motor, it may be time to call in the professionals. With expert advice, they will be able to offer you suggestions for a furnace repair, let you know if you need a furnace blower motor replacement, or if you absolutely have nothing to worry about. If nothing else it will give you piece of mind.