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 heating systems start up, especially if it hasn’t received a seasonal heating tune-up, there are some problems that need to be inspected. A big problem you may run into is your furnace making unusual noises – take a look at these furnace noises you should never disregard. 

Scraping Sound 

If you hear a loud scraping racket that sounds like metal on metal, there is probably something wrong with the blower wheel. If you hear a noise like this, power off your furnace right away and call Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning to inspect the furnace. There are a couple things that could be faulty with the blower wheel. First, it may just be loose and if the piece is not too impaired, 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 actually broke, causing the whole 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 comfortable home you have come to adore. 

Loud Bang When Furnace Starts 

If there is a loud bang when your furnace turns on, there are a couple things that could be occurring. Two common things are a dirty furnace burner or ignitor. Stretching and contracting air ducts can also create loud bangs after the heating system blower comes on. A dirty furnace burner or ignitor could prevent 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 end up being 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 would also have to replace the heat exchanger, which may be very costly. 

The other trouble, expanding and contracting air ducts, is a common noise complaint for homeowners with metal ducts. If your furnace is making the loud boom and it is a result of your air ducts, it could be an indication of undersized ducts, obstructed vents, or a clogged air filter. Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning is happy to visit your home to diagnose your problem 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 squealing noise, it could be the blower motor is malfunctioning, the shaft bearings are in need of oil, or an issue with the blower belt. A seasonal system tune-up will help discover these issues before they become major problems so make sure you contact us at 587-404-0790 and we’ll make sure your furnace is ready to keep you safe and warm all winter long.