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 heaters start up, especially if it hasn’t undergone a fall heating tune-up, there are some issues that need to be examined. A big problem you may encounter 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 something like this, power off your furnace right away and call Stevenson Service Experts to inspect the furnace. There are a few things that could be faulty with the blower wheel. First, it could just be loose and if the piece is not too harmed, can be tightened. Second, it could 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 whole blower assembly to vibrate uncontrollably. One of our service experts would be happy to come to your home and take a look, and get you back to the quiet and cozy home you have come to expect. 

Loud Bang When Furnace Starts 

If there is a loud bang when your furnace turns on, there are a couple things that could be going on. Two typical issues are a dirty furnace burner or ignitor. Expanding and contracting air ducts can also create loud booms after the furnace blower turns on. A soiled furnace burner or ignitor could delay the burners from igniting, causing 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 break. 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 homeowners with metal ducts. If your furnace is making the loud bang and it is caused by your air ducts, it could be a symptom of undersized ducts, closed vents, or a clogged air filter. Stevenson Service Experts is happy to come out to diagnose your trouble and get your home back in working order. Ultimately, this will also give you improved comfort as well. 

Whining Noise 

If you hear a squealing sound, it could be the blower motor is malfunctioning, the shaft bearings are in need of oil, or an issue with the blower belt. An annual furnace tune-up will help discover these issues before they become big problems so make sure you give us a call at 614-334-3192 and we’ll make sure your heating equipment is ready to keep you safe and cozy all winter long.