Why Your Furnace May Be Making These Noises
It’s that time of year when people start turning on their furnaces to settle in for a frigid winter. Unfortunately, when some heating systems start up, especially if it hasn’t received a seasonal heating tune-up, there are some issues that need to be examined. A big problem you may encounter 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 sound that sounds like metal on metal, there is possibly something defective with the blower wheel. If you hear a noise like this, power off your furnace right away and call Stevenson Service Experts to inspect the furnace. There are multiple things that could be wrong 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 shake uncontrollably. One of our service professionals would be happy to come to your home and take a look, and get you back to the silent and warm home you have come to expect.
Loud Bang When Furnace Starts
If there is a loud pop when your furnace comes on, there are a few things that could be occurring. Two common issues are a dirty furnace burner or ignitor. Extending and contracting air ducts can also cause loud sounds after the furnace blower turns on. A soiled furnace burner or ignitor could delay the burners from igniting, resulting in gas to build up. When the gas finally does ignite, it will create the loud pop you hear. This could result in a safety issue, especially if one of the small explosions caused the heat exchanger to crack. Not only could that produce a carbon monoxide leak, but you will have to replace the heat exchanger, which could be very expensive.
The other problem, extending and contracting air ducts, is a typical noise complaint for people with metal ducts. If your equipment is making the loud pop and it is caused by your air ducts, it could be a symptom of undersized ducts, blocked 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 provide 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 seasonal heating tune-up will help find these issues before they become major problems so make sure you contact us at 614-334-3192 and we’ll make sure your furnace is ready to keep you safe and warm all winter long.