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 undergone a seasonal heating tune-up, there are some issues that need to be inspected. A major problem you may discover is your furnace making unusual noises – take a look at these furnace noises you should never ignore.
Scraping Sound
If you hear a loud scratching racket that sounds like metal on metal, there is likely something defective with the blower wheel. If you hear a noise like this, power off your furnace right away and call Matz-Rightway to inspect the furnace. There are a couple things that could be wrong with the blower wheel. First, it may 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 will require replacement. Or third, it could be that the motor mount itself broke, causing the complete blower assembly to rattle uncontrollably. One of our service professionals would be happy to come over 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 comes on, there are a few things that could be occurring. Two general things are a dirty furnace burner or ignitor. Expanding and contracting air ducts can also create loud booms after the heating blower turns on. A dirty furnace burner or ignitor could holdup the burners from igniting, causing gas to build up. When the gas does finally ignite, it will create the loud boom you hear. This could cause a safety issue, especially if one of those small explosions caused the heat exchanger to crack. Not only could that cause a carbon monoxide leak, but you would also have to replace the heat exchanger, which can be very expensive.
The other trouble, expanding and contracting air ducts, is a typical noise complaint for people with metal ducts. If your equipment is making the loud bang and it is a result of your air ducts, it could be an indication of undersized ducts, blocked vents, or a clogged air filter. Matz-Rightway is happy to visit your home to diagnose your trouble 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 squealing disturbance, 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 discover these issues before they become major problems so make sure you give us a call at 631-406-9220 and we’ll make sure your furnace is ready to keep you safe and warm all winter long.