Why Your Furnace May Be Making These Noises

It’s that time of year when families start turning on their heating systems to settle in for a long winter. Unfortunately, when some furnaces start up, especially if it hasn’t undergone a seasonal heating tune-up, there are some problems that need to be inspected. A serious problem you may run into is your furnace making funny noises – check out these furnace noises you should never disregard.

Scraping Sound

If you hear a loud scratching noise that sounds like metal on metal, there is possibly something faulty with the blower wheel. If you hear a sound like this, power off your furnace ASAP and call Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing to inspect the system. There are multiple 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 may be that the blower wheel is broken and will require replacement. Or third, it might be that the motor mount is what broke, causing the whole 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 silent and warm home you have come to expect.

Loud Bang When Furnace Starts

If there is a loud bang when your furnace turns on, there are a couple things that could be going on. Two general issues are a dirty furnace burner or ignitor. Stretching and contracting air ducts can also produce loud sounds after the furnace blower turns on. A dirty furnace burner or ignitor could prevent the burners from igniting, causing 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 the small explosions caused the heat exchanger to deteriorate. Not only could that produce a carbon monoxide leak, but you’d end up having to replace the heat exchanger, which could be very expensive.

The other trouble, expanding and contracting air ducts, is a common noise complaint for homeowners with metal ducts. If your system is making the loud bang and it is a result of your air ducts, it could be a sign of undersized ducts, closed vents, or a clogged air filter. Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing is happy to visit your home to diagnose your problem and get your home back to order. Also, this will also provide improved comfort as well.

Whining Noise

If you hear a whining sound, 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 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.