Why Your Furnace May Be Making These Noises

Now is when families 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 received a yearly heating tune-up, there are some problems that need to be assessed. A major problem you may encounter is your furnace making unusual noises – read about these furnace noises you should never ignore. 

Scraping Sound 

If you hear a loud raking noise that sounds like metal on metal, there is probably something faulty with the blower wheel. If you hear a sound like this, shut off your furnace ASAP and call Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing to inspect the system. There are multiple things that could be faulty with the blower wheel. First, it might just be loose and if the piece is not too damaged, 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 whole blower assembly to shake uncontrollably. One of our service technicians would be happy to come over and take a look, and get you back to the silent and warm home you have come to love. 

Loud Bang When Furnace Starts 

If there is a loud pop when your furnace comes on, there are a handful of things that could be occurring. Two typical problems are a dirty furnace burner or ignitor. Expanding and contracting air ducts can also produce loud booms after the heating system blower starts up. 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 pop you hear. This could result in a safety issue, especially if one of those small explosions caused the heat exchanger to deteriorate. Not only could that cause a carbon monoxide leak, but you will have to replace the heat exchanger, which could be very expensive. 

The other issue, expanding and contracting air ducts, is a typical noise complaint for homes with metal ducts. If your equipment is making the loud bang and it is produced by 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 set up an appointment to diagnose your trouble and get your home back in shape for the winter. Also, this will also give you improved comfort as well. 

Whining Noise 

If you hear a whining sound, 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. An annual heating tune-up will help catch these issues before they become big 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 cozy all winter long.