It’s that time of year when people 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 fall heating tune-up, there are some issues that need to be inspected. A serious problem you may encounter is your furnace making unusual noises – read about these furnace noises you should never neglect.
Scraping Sound
If you hear a loud raking racket that sounds like metal on metal, there is probably something faulty with the blower wheel. If you hear a sound like this, shut off your furnace immediately and call Fras-Air/General Service Experts to inspect the furnace. There are a couple things that could be amiss with the blower wheel. First, it could 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 in need of replacement. Or third, it could be that the motor mount actually broke, causing the whole blower assembly to shake uncontrollably. One of our service technicians would be happy to come out and take a look, and get you back to the silent and comfortable home you have come to adore.
Loud Bang When Furnace Starts
If there is a loud pop when your furnace comes on, there are a handful of things that could be happening. Two common issues are a dirty furnace burner or ignitor. Expanding and contracting air ducts can also cause loud sounds after the furnace blower comes on. A dirty furnace burner or ignitor could holdup the burners from igniting, forcing gas to build up. When the gas does finally 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 deteriorate. Not only could that result in a carbon monoxide leak, but you would also have to replace the heat exchanger, which could be very costly.
The other issue, expanding and contracting air ducts, is a common noise complaint for people with metal ducts. If your system is making the loud bang and it is caused by your air ducts, it could be a sign of undersized ducts, blocked vents, or a clogged air filter. Fras-Air/General Service Experts is happy to set up an appointment to diagnose your issue and get your home back in shape for the winter. Additionally, this will also provide improved comfort as well.
Whining Noise
If you hear a squealing 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. An annual system tune-up will help catch these issues before they become serious problems so make sure you contact us at 908-448-2154 and we’ll make sure your heating equipment is ready to keep you safe and comfortable all winter long.