This is the time of year families start turning on their heating systems to settle in for a cold winter. Unfortunately, when some heaters start up, especially if it hasn’t received a fall heating tune-up, there are some problems that need to be examined. A serious problem you may run into is your furnace making weird noises – take a look at these furnace noises you should never disregard.
Scraping Sound
If you hear a loud scraping racket that sounds like metal on metal, there is possibly something wrong with the blower wheel. If you hear a sound like this, shut off your furnace immediately and call A-PLUS Service Experts to inspect the system. There are a few things that could be faulty with the blower wheel. First, it might just be loose and if the component is not too impaired, can be tightened. Second, it may be that the blower wheel is broken and will require replacement. Or third, it may be that the motor mount itself broke, causing the entire 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 boom when your furnace kicks on, there are a couple things that could be happening. Two typical issues are a dirty furnace burner or ignitor. Extending and contracting air ducts can also produce loud bangs after the heating system blower starts up. A dirty furnace burner or ignitor could prevent 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 result in 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’d end up having to replace the heat exchanger, which can be very pricey.
The other issue, expanding and contracting air ducts, is a usual noise complaint for homes with metal ducts. If your equipment is making the loud boom and it is caused by your air ducts, it could be a sign of undersized ducts, blocked vents, or a clogged air filter. A-PLUS Service Experts is happy to come out to diagnose your problem and get your home back in working order. Ultimately, this will also provide improved comfort as well.
Whining Noise
If you hear a high-pitched disturbance, it could be the blower motor is malfunctioning, the shaft bearings are in need of oil, or an issue with the blower belt. A seasonal furnace tune-up will help catch these issues before they become serious problems so make sure you give us a call at 301-747-3140 and we’ll make sure your heating equipment is ready to keep you safe and comfortable all winter long.