It’s that time of year when homeowners start turning on their heating systems to settle in for a cold winter. Unfortunately, when some heaters start up, especially if it hasn’t had a yearly 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 – check out these furnace noises you should never neglect.
Scraping Sound
If you hear a loud raking noise that sounds like metal on metal, there is possibly something defective with the blower wheel. If you hear a sound like this, power off your furnace right away and call Finch Air Conditioning & Heating to inspect the equipment. There are multiple things that could be amiss with the blower wheel. First, it could just be loose and if the piece is not too impaired, can be tightened. Second, it could be that the blower wheel is broken and needs to be replaced. Or third, it could be that the motor mount actually broke, causing the entire blower assembly to shake uncontrollably. One of our service professionals would be happy to come out and take a look, and get you back to the noiseless and comfortable home you have come to love.
Loud Bang When Furnace Starts
If there is a loud boom when your furnace kicks on, there are a handful of things that could be occurring. Two general things are a dirty furnace burner or ignitor. Extending and contracting air ducts can also cause loud bangs after the heating blower turns on. A soiled furnace burner or ignitor could holdup the burners from igniting, forcing gas to build up. When the gas finally ignites, it will create the loud bang you hear. This could cause a safety issue, especially if one of the small explosions caused the heat exchanger to crack. Not only could that result in a carbon monoxide leak, but you’d end up having to replace the heat exchanger, which may be very pricey.
The other issue, expanding and contracting air ducts, is a common noise complaint for homes 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. Finch Air Conditioning & Heating is happy to come out to diagnose your issue and get your home back to order. Ultimately, this will also provide improved comfort as well.
Whining Noise
If you hear a whining noise, 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 find these issues before they become major problems so make sure you contact us at 281-407-9478 and we’ll make sure your heating system is ready to keep you safe and comfortable all winter long.