This is the time of year homeowners 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 issues that need to be examined. A major problem you may discover is your furnace making weird noises – take a look at these furnace noises you should never ignore.
Scraping Sound
If you hear a loud raking noise that sounds like metal on metal, there is likely something faulty with the blower wheel. If you hear a noise like this, turn off your furnace right away and call Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning to inspect the system. There are multiple things that could be faulty with the blower wheel. First, it may just be loose and if the part is not too damaged, can be tightened. Second, it may be that the blower wheel is broken and in need of replacement. Or third, it could be that the motor mount is what broke, causing the whole blower assembly to vibrate uncontrollably. One of our service professionals would be happy to come to your home and take a look, and get you back to the quiet and warm home you have come to adore.
Loud Bang When Furnace Starts
If there is a loud boom when your furnace turns on, there are a handful of things that could be occurring. Two typical things are a dirty furnace burner or ignitor. Expanding and contracting air ducts can also create loud sounds 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 boom 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 would also have to replace the heat exchanger, which can be very pricey.
The other issue, expanding and contracting air ducts, is a typical noise complaint for homeowners with metal ducts. If your system is making the loud pop and it is caused by your air ducts, it could be a sign of undersized ducts, closed vents, or a clogged air filter. Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning is happy to set up an appointment to diagnose your problem and get your home back in shape for the winter. Also, this will also result in improved comfort as well.
Whining Noise
If you hear a whining noise, it could be the blower belt, shaft bearings in need of oil, or even a malfunctioning blower motor. A routine heating tune-up will help catch these issues before they become major problems so make sure you contact us at 407-329-7661 and we’ll make sure your furnace is ready to keep you safe and comfortable all winter long.