It’s that time of year when homeowners start turning on their heaters to settle in for a frigid winter. Unfortunately, when some heating systems start up, especially if it hasn’t received a seasonal heating tune-up, there are some issues that need to be examined. A major problem you may encounter is your furnace making funny noises – check out these furnace noises you should never ignore.
Scraping Sound
If you hear a loud raking racket that sounds like metal on metal, there is probably something wrong with the blower wheel. If you hear something like this, shut off your furnace immediately and call Eveready Service Experts to inspect the furnace. There are multiple things that could be amiss with the blower wheel. First, it may just be loose and if the piece is not too impaired, can be tightened. Second, it could be that the blower wheel is broken and will require replacement. Or third, it could be that the motor mount actually broke, causing the entire blower assembly to shake uncontrollably. One of our service technicians would be happy to come to your home and take a look, and get you back to the quiet and warm home you have come to adore.
Loud Bang When Furnace Starts
If there is a loud pop when your furnace turns on, there are a couple things that could be occurring. Two typical issues are a dirty furnace burner or ignitor. Extending and contracting air ducts can also cause loud bangs after the heating blower turns on. A dirty furnace burner or ignitor could delay the burners from igniting, causing gas to build up. When the gas finally does ignite, it will create the loud bang you hear. This could end up being a safety issue, especially if one of those small explosions caused the heat exchanger to deteriorate. Not only could that result in a carbon monoxide leak, but you’d end up having to replace the heat exchanger, which can be very expensive.
The other problem, stretching and contracting air ducts, is a typical noise complaint for homeowners with metal ducts. If your furnace is making the loud pop and it is caused by your air ducts, it could be an indication of undersized ducts, obstructed vents, or a clogged air filter. Eveready Service Experts is happy to visit your home to diagnose your trouble and get your home back to order. Additionally, this will also give you improved comfort as well.
Whining Noise
If you hear a squealing noise, it could be the shaft bearings are in need of oil, there is an issue with the blower belt, or the blower motor is malfunctioning. A routine heating tune-up will help discover these issues before they become big problems so make sure you give us a call at 804-548-4480 and we’ll make sure your heating system is ready to keep you safe and comfortable all winter long.