It’s that time of year when families start turning on their furnaces to settle in for a long winter. Unfortunately, when some heating systems start up, especially if it hasn’t had a seasonal heating tune-up, there are some troubles that need to be examined. A major problem you may discover is your furnace making funny noises – take a look at these furnace noises you should never ignore.
Scraping Sound
If you hear a loud scraping sound that sounds like metal on metal, there is likely something faulty with the blower wheel. If you hear a noise like this, shut off your furnace right away and call Comfort Masters Service Experts to inspect the equipment. There are a few things that could be amiss with the blower wheel. First, it might just be loose and if the part is not too damaged, can be tightened. Second, it could be that the blower wheel is broken and will require replacement. Or third, it might be that the motor mount actually broke, causing the entire blower assembly to vibrate 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 comfortable home you have come to love.
Loud Bang When Furnace Starts
If there is a loud pop when your furnace kicks on, there are a few things that could be occurring. Two common issues are a dirty furnace burner or ignitor. Expanding and contracting air ducts can also cause loud bangs after the furnace blower comes on. A soiled furnace burner or ignitor could delay the burners from igniting, forcing gas to build up. When the gas finally does ignite, it will create the loud pop you hear. This could cause a safety issue, especially if one of these small explosions caused the heat exchanger to deteriorate. Not only could that cause a carbon monoxide leak, but you will have to replace the heat exchanger, which may be very pricey.
The other trouble, stretching and contracting air ducts, is a usual noise complaint for people with metal ducts. If your equipment is making the loud boom and it is produced by your air ducts, it could be a symptom of undersized ducts, blocked vents, or a clogged air filter. Comfort Masters Service Experts is happy to visit your home to diagnose your problem and get your home back in working order. Also, this will also result in improved comfort as well.
Whining Noise
If you hear a whining sound, 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 furnace tune-up will help find these issues before they become big problems so make sure you contact us at 847-250-6729 and we’ll make sure your furnace is ready to keep you safe and warm all winter long.