Why Your Furnace May Be Making These Noises

Now is when homeowners start turning on their furnaces to settle in for a cold winter. Unfortunately, when some heating systems start up, especially if it hasn’t received a yearly heating tune-up, there are some issues that need to be assessed. 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 raking sound that sounds like metal on metal, there is possibly something wrong with the blower wheel. If you hear a noise like this, power off your furnace ASAP and call Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing to inspect the equipment. There are multiple things that could be wrong with the blower wheel. First, it might just be loose and if the part is not too impaired, can be tightened. Second, it might be that the blower wheel is broken and will require replacement. Or third, it may be that the motor mount is what broke, causing the entire blower assembly to vibrate uncontrollably. One of our service experts would be happy to come out and take a look, and get you back to the noiseless and cozy home you have come to adore.

Loud Bang When Furnace Starts

If there is a loud pop when your furnace comes on, there are a handful of things that could be happening. Two common things are a dirty furnace burner or ignitor. Expanding and contracting air ducts can also cause loud booms after the heating blower starts up. A soiled furnace burner or ignitor could holdup 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 result in 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 would also have to replace the heat exchanger, which could be very expensive.

The other trouble, stretching and contracting air ducts, is a common noise complaint for homes with metal ducts. If your furnace is making the loud boom and it is a result of your air ducts, it could be an indication of undersized ducts, obstructed vents, or a clogged air filter. Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing is happy to come out to diagnose your problem and get your home back in working order. Ultimately, this will also give you improved comfort as well.

Whining Noise

If you hear a squealing noise, it could be the blower belt, shaft bearings in need of oil, or even a malfunctioning blower motor. A seasonal furnace tune-up will help discover these issues before they become major problems so make sure you contact us at 866-397-3787 and we’ll make sure your furnace is ready to keep you safe and comfortable all winter long.