Why Your Furnace May Be Making These Noises

This is the time of year people start turning on their furnaces to settle in for a long winter. Unfortunately, when some furnaces start up, especially if it hasn’t received a fall heating tune-up, there are some issues that need to be inspected. A major problem you may run into is your furnace making funny noises – take a look at these furnace noises you should never ignore. 

Scraping Sound 

If you hear a loud scraping noise that sounds like metal on metal, there is probably something wrong with the blower wheel. If you hear a noise like this, shut off your furnace immediately and call Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing to inspect the system. There are a few things that could be wrong with the blower wheel. First, it could just be loose and if the component is not too damaged, can be tightened. Second, it could be that the blower wheel is broken and in need of replacement. Or third, it could be that the motor mount actually broke, causing the whole blower assembly to vibrate uncontrollably. One of our service experts would be happy to come out and take a look, and get you back to the quiet and warm home you have come to expect. 

Loud Bang When Furnace Starts 

If there is a loud pop when your furnace turns on, there are a couple things that could be going on. Two common things are a dirty furnace burner or ignitor. Expanding and contracting air ducts can also create loud bangs after the furnace blower comes on. A dirty 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 end up being 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 expensive. 

The other issue, expanding and contracting air ducts, is a common noise complaint for homeowners with metal ducts. If your system is making the loud pop and it is a result of your air ducts, it could be a sign of undersized ducts, closed vents, or a clogged air filter. Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing is happy to come out to diagnose your issue and get your home back in working order. Ultimately, 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 big problems so make sure you give us a call at 866-397-3787 and we’ll make sure your furnace is ready to keep you safe and comfortable all winter long.