Now is when families start turning on their furnaces to settle in for a long winter. Unfortunately, when some furnaces start up, especially if it hasn’t had a seasonal heating tune-up, there are some issues that need to be examined. A major problem you may discover is your furnace making funny noises – read about these furnace noises you should never disregard.
Scraping Sound
If you hear a loud raking racket that sounds like metal on metal, there is likely something wrong with the blower wheel. If you hear a sound like this, power off your furnace immediately and call Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning to inspect the furnace. There are a few things that could be amiss with the blower wheel. First, it may just be loose and if the piece 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 could be that the motor mount itself 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 warm home you have come to love.
Loud Bang When Furnace Starts
If there is a loud bang when your furnace turns on, there are a handful of things that could be happening. Two common issues are a dirty furnace burner or ignitor. Extending and contracting air ducts can also create loud bangs after the heating system blower starts up. A dirty furnace burner or ignitor could holdup the burners from igniting, forcing gas to build up. When the gas finally does ignite, it will create the loud boom you hear. This could end up being a safety issue, especially if one of those 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 may be very costly.
The other trouble, stretching and contracting air ducts, is a typical noise complaint for homeowners with metal ducts. If your furnace is making the loud pop and it is produced by your air ducts, it could be a symptom of undersized ducts, closed 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 in working order. Ultimately, this will also provide improved comfort as well.
Whining Noise
If you hear a high-pitched disturbance, it could be the blower belt, shaft bearings in need of oil, or even a malfunctioning blower motor. A routine furnace tune-up will help discover these issues before they become serious problems so make sure you call us at 925-364-5427 and we’ll make sure your heating system is ready to keep you safe and comfortable all winter long.