Why Your Furnace May Be Making These Noises

Now is when families start turning on their heaters to settle in for a frigid winter. Unfortunately, when some heating systems start up, especially if it hasn’t received a yearly heating tune-up, there are some issues that need to be inspected. A major problem you may discover is your furnace making weird noises – read about these furnace noises you should never ignore.

Scraping Sound

If you hear a loud raking sound that sounds like metal on metal, there is possibly something faulty with the blower wheel. If you hear a noise like this, turn off your furnace ASAP and call A1 Chesney Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning to inspect the system. There are multiple things that could be faulty with the blower wheel. First, it could just be loose and if the piece is not too damaged, can be tightened. Second, it might be that the blower wheel is broken and will require replacement. Or third, it may be that the motor mount actually broke, causing the whole blower assembly to vibrate uncontrollably. One of our service technicians would be happy to come out and take a look, and get you back to the silent and cozy home you have come to love.

Loud Bang When Furnace Starts

If there is a loud pop when your furnace turns on, there are a couple things that could be occurring. Two general problems are a dirty furnace burner or ignitor. Stretching and contracting air ducts can also produce loud sounds after the furnace blower comes 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 boom you hear. This could end up being a safety issue, especially if one of these small explosions caused the heat exchanger to deteriorate. 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 trouble, stretching and contracting air ducts, is a typical noise complaint for homeowners with metal ducts. If your system is making the loud bang and it is a result of your air ducts, it could be a symptom of undersized ducts, blocked vents, or a clogged air filter. A1 Chesney Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning is happy to set up an appointment to diagnose your trouble and get your home back to order. Ultimately, this will also result in improved comfort as well.

Whining Noise

If you hear a squealing disturbance, it could be the shaft bearings are in need of oil, there is an issue with the blower belt, or the blower motor is malfunctioning. A seasonal furnace tune-up will help discover these issues before they become major problems so make sure you give us a call at 587-315-5271 and we’ll make sure your heating system is ready to keep you safe and comfortable all winter long.