Why Your Furnace May Be Making These Noises

This is the time of year people start turning on their heating systems to settle in for a cold winter. Unfortunately, when some heating systems start up, especially if it hasn’t undergone a seasonal heating tune-up, there are some issues that need to be inspected. A big problem you may encounter is your furnace making weird noises – check out these furnace noises you should never neglect.

Scraping Sound

If you hear a loud scraping noise that sounds like metal on metal, there is probably something defective with the blower wheel. If you hear a noise like this, power off your furnace immediately and call Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing to inspect the furnace. There are a few things that could be faulty with the blower wheel. First, it may 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 will require replacement. Or third, it could be that the motor mount is what broke, causing the entire blower assembly to rattle uncontrollably. One of our service experts would be happy to come out 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 bang when your furnace comes on, there are a few things that could be happening. Two common issues are a dirty furnace burner or ignitor. Expanding and contracting air ducts can also create loud noises after the heating blower comes on. A soiled furnace burner or ignitor could delay the burners from igniting, causing gas to build up. When the gas finally ignites, it will create the loud bang you hear. This could result in a safety issue, especially if one of those 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 may be very expensive.

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

Whining Noise

If you hear a high-pitched disturbance, it could be the blower motor is malfunctioning, the shaft bearings are in need of oil, or an issue with the blower belt. A seasonal furnace tune-up will help find these issues before they become major problems so make sure you call us at 866-397-3787 and we’ll make sure your heating equipment is ready to keep you safe and warm all winter long.