Why Your Furnace May Be Making These Noises

This is the time of year families start turning on their heating systems to settle in for a cold 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 assessed. A big 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 defective with the blower wheel. If you hear a sound like this, power off your furnace ASAP and call Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning to inspect the furnace. 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 may be that the blower wheel is broken and needs to be replaced. Or third, it may be that the motor mount itself broke, causing the complete blower assembly to vibrate 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 kicks on, there are a handful of things that could be occurring. Two typical problems are a dirty furnace burner or ignitor. Stretching and contracting air ducts can also cause loud bangs after the furnace blower comes on. A filthy furnace burner or ignitor could prevent the burners from igniting, resulting in gas to build up. When the gas finally ignites, 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 produce a carbon monoxide leak, but you’d end up having to replace the heat exchanger, which could be very costly.

The other problem, expanding and contracting air ducts, is a typical noise complaint for people with metal ducts. If your furnace is making the loud bang and it is produced by 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 come out to diagnose your problem and get your home back to order. Also, this will also give you improved comfort as well.

Whining Noise

If you hear a squealing disturbance, it could be the blower belt, shaft bearings in need of oil, or even a malfunctioning blower motor. A routine system tune-up will help discover these issues before they become major problems so make sure you give us a call at 587-404-0790 and we’ll make sure your heating system is ready to keep you safe and cozy all winter long.