Why Your Furnace May Be Making These Noises

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

Scraping Sound 

If you hear a loud scraping racket that sounds like metal on metal, there is probably something faulty with the blower wheel. If you hear something like this, power off your furnace right away and call Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing to inspect the equipment. There are a couple things that could be faulty with the blower wheel. First, it could just be loose and if the component is not too harmed, can be tightened. Second, it might 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 complete blower assembly to rattle uncontrollably. One of our service technicians would be happy to come out and take a look, and get you back to the noiseless and comfortable home you have come to adore. 

Loud Bang When Furnace Starts 

If there is a loud bang when your furnace kicks on, there are a couple things that could be occurring. Two general problems are a dirty furnace burner or ignitor. Extending and contracting air ducts can also create loud noises after the heating blower comes on. A soiled furnace burner or ignitor could prevent the burners from igniting, resulting in gas to build up. When the gas finally does ignite, it will create the loud bang 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 produce a carbon monoxide leak, but you would also have to replace the heat exchanger, which can be very pricey. 

The other trouble, stretching and contracting air ducts, is a common 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 an indication of undersized ducts, closed 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 shape for the winter. Also, this will also provide improved comfort as well. 

Whining Noise 

If you hear a squealing 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 seasonal furnace tune-up will help catch these issues before they become serious problems so make sure you give us a call at 866-397-3787 and we’ll make sure your heating system is ready to keep you safe and warm all winter long.