Why Your Furnace May Be Making These Noises

It’s that time of year when people start turning on their furnaces to settle in for a long winter. Unfortunately, when some heaters start up, especially if it hasn’t had a yearly heating tune-up, there are some problems that need to be assessed. A major problem you may run into is your furnace making unusual noises – read about these furnace noises you should never neglect.

Scraping Sound

If you hear a loud scratching racket that sounds like metal on metal, there is probably something wrong with the blower wheel. If you hear a noise like this, shut off your furnace ASAP and call Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing to inspect the furnace. There are multiple things that could be wrong with the blower wheel. First, it could 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 needs to be replaced. Or third, it may be that the motor mount itself broke, causing the whole blower assembly to vibrate uncontrollably. One of our service professionals would be happy to come out and take a look, and get you back to the silent and warm home you have come to expect.

Loud Bang When Furnace Starts

If there is a loud boom when your furnace comes on, there are a few things that could be going on. Two typical things are a dirty furnace burner or ignitor. Stretching and contracting air ducts can also create loud booms after the heating system blower comes on. A soiled furnace burner or ignitor could holdup the burners from igniting, causing gas to build up. When the gas finally does ignite, it will create the loud boom you hear. This could cause a safety issue, especially if one of those small explosions caused the heat exchanger to break. Not only could that produce a carbon monoxide leak, but you would also have to replace the heat exchanger, which can be very expensive.

The other problem, stretching and contracting air ducts, is a typical noise complaint for homes with metal ducts. If your equipment is making the loud boom and it is caused by your air ducts, it could be a symptom of undersized ducts, blocked vents, or a clogged air filter. Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing is happy to visit your home to diagnose your issue and get your home back in shape for the winter. Additionally, this will also provide improved comfort as well.

Whining Noise

If you hear a high-pitched disturbance, 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 furnace tune-up will help catch these issues before they become big problems so make sure you contact us at 866-397-3787 and we’ll make sure your heating equipment is ready to keep you safe and cozy all winter long.