Why Your Furnace May Be Making These Noises

Now is when homeowners start turning on their furnaces 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 troubles that need to be inspected. A major problem you may encounter is your furnace making weird noises – check out these furnace noises you should never ignore.

Scraping Sound

If you hear a loud scraping sound that sounds like metal on metal, there is likely something wrong with the blower wheel. If you hear a noise like this, shut off your furnace immediately and call Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing to inspect the equipment. There are a couple things that could be wrong with the blower wheel. First, it may just be loose and if the part is not too harmed, can be tightened. Second, it may be that the blower wheel is broken and needs to be replaced. Or third, it might be that the motor mount is what broke, causing the complete blower assembly to rattle uncontrollably. One of our service technicians would be happy to come to your home and take a look, and get you back to the silent and cozy home you have come to adore.

Loud Bang When Furnace Starts

If there is a loud pop when your furnace kicks on, there are a few things that could be occurring. Two general issues are a dirty furnace burner or ignitor. Expanding and contracting air ducts can also create loud sounds after the furnace blower starts up. A soiled furnace burner or ignitor could prevent the burners from igniting, forcing 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 crack. Not only could that result in a carbon monoxide leak, but you’d end up having to replace the heat exchanger, which could be very costly.

The other issue, stretching and contracting air ducts, is a common noise complaint for homes with metal ducts. If your system is making the loud pop and it is a result of 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 set up an appointment to diagnose your problem and get your home back to order. Ultimately, this will also provide improved comfort as well.

Whining Noise

If you hear a high-pitched 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 discover these issues before they become big problems so make sure you call us at 866-397-3787 and we’ll make sure your furnace is ready to keep you safe and cozy all winter long.