Why Your Furnace May Be Making These Noises
It’s that time of year when people start turning on their heaters to settle in for a frigid winter. Unfortunately, when some heaters start up, especially if it hasn’t received a fall heating tune-up, there are some issues that need to be examined. A major problem you may discover is your furnace making weird noises – read about these furnace noises you should never ignore.
Scraping Sound
If you hear a loud raking noise that sounds like metal on metal, there is possibly something faulty with the blower wheel. If you hear something like this, shut off your furnace immediately and call Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning to inspect the equipment. There are a couple things that could be wrong with the blower wheel. First, it could just be loose and if the part is not too impaired, can be tightened. Second, it could be that the blower wheel is broken and in need of replacement. Or third, it might be that the motor mount actually broke, causing the entire blower assembly to shake uncontrollably. One of our service experts would be happy to come out and take a look, and get you back to the quiet and comfortable home you have come to love.
Loud Bang When Furnace Starts
If there is a loud boom when your furnace kicks on, there are a couple things that could be going on. Two typical things are a dirty furnace burner or ignitor. Expanding and contracting air ducts can also produce loud sounds after the heating blower comes on. A filthy furnace burner or ignitor could prevent the burners from igniting, forcing gas to build up. When the gas finally ignites, it will create the loud pop you hear. This could end up being a safety issue, especially if one of the small explosions caused the heat exchanger to break. Not only could that result in a carbon monoxide leak, but you’d end up having to replace the heat exchanger, which may be very expensive.
The other problem, stretching and contracting air ducts, is a common noise complaint for homes with metal ducts. If your equipment is making the loud bang and it is caused by your air ducts, it could be an indication of undersized ducts, obstructed vents, or a clogged air filter. Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning is happy to visit your home to diagnose your trouble and get your home back to order. Ultimately, this will also give you improved comfort as well.
Whining Noise
If you hear a squealing noise, it could be the blower motor is malfunctioning, the shaft bearings are in need of oil, or an issue with the blower belt. An annual heating tune-up will help catch these issues before they become major problems so make sure you contact us at 954-736-4314 and we’ll make sure your heating equipment is ready to keep you safe and cozy all winter long.
