Why Your Furnace May Be Making These Noises
It’s that time of year when homeowners start turning on their furnaces to settle in for a frigid winter. Unfortunately, when some furnaces start up, especially if it hasn’t received a seasonal heating tune-up, there are some problems that need to be examined. A big problem you may discover is your furnace making weird noises – read about these furnace noises you should never neglect.
Scraping Sound
If you hear a loud raking noise that sounds like metal on metal, there is possibly something faulty with the blower wheel. If you hear a noise like this, shut off your furnace immediately and call Stevenson Service Experts to inspect the system. There are a couple things that could be wrong with the blower wheel. First, it might just be loose and if the component is not too impaired, can be tightened. Second, it could be that the blower wheel is broken and needs to be replaced. Or third, it could be that the motor mount actually broke, causing the entire blower assembly to rattle uncontrollably. One of our service technicians would be happy to come over 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 boom when your furnace turns on, there are a few things that could be going on. Two general issues are a dirty furnace burner or ignitor. Extending and contracting air ducts can also produce loud noises after the heating system blower comes on. A filthy furnace burner or ignitor could holdup the burners from igniting, resulting in gas to build up. When the gas does finally ignite, it will create the loud boom you hear. This could result in a safety issue, especially if one of these small explosions caused the heat exchanger to crack. Not only could that result in a carbon monoxide leak, but you’d end up having to replace the heat exchanger, which may be very expensive.
The other problem, expanding and contracting air ducts, is a typical noise complaint for homes with metal ducts. If your system is making the loud pop and it is produced by your air ducts, it could be a symptom of undersized ducts, closed vents, or a clogged air filter. Stevenson Service Experts is happy to set up an appointment to diagnose your issue 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. An annual furnace tune-up will help catch these issues before they become serious problems so make sure you contact us at 614-334-3192 and we’ll make sure your heating system is ready to keep you safe and comfortable all winter long.