Why Your Furnace May Be Making These Noises

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

Scraping Sound 

If you hear a loud scratching racket that sounds like metal on metal, there is likely something defective with the blower wheel. If you hear something like this, power off your furnace ASAP and call Stallion Heating and 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 component is not too damaged, can be tightened. Second, it may be that the blower wheel is broken and needs to be replaced. Or third, it may be that the motor mount actually broke, causing the entire blower assembly to vibrate uncontrollably. One of our service experts would be happy to come to your home and take a look, and get you back to the quiet and comfortable home you have come to adore. 

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 general issues are a dirty furnace burner or ignitor. Expanding and contracting air ducts can also produce loud booms after the heating system blower turns on. A soiled furnace burner or ignitor could holdup the burners from igniting, resulting in gas to build up. When the gas does finally ignite, it will create the loud pop you hear. This could result in a safety issue, especially if one of the small explosions caused the heat exchanger to deteriorate. Not only could that cause a carbon monoxide leak, but you’d end up having to replace the heat exchanger, which can be very pricey. 

The other issue, stretching and contracting air ducts, is a usual noise complaint for people with metal ducts. If your furnace is making the loud pop and it is caused by your air ducts, it could be a symptom of undersized ducts, obstructed vents, or a clogged air filter. Stallion Heating and Air Conditioning is happy to come out to diagnose your problem and get your home back in working order. Additionally, this will also give you improved comfort as well. 

Whining Noise 

If you hear a squealing noise, it could be the blower motor is malfunctioning, the shaft bearings are in need of oil, or an issue with the blower belt. An annual furnace tune-up will help catch these issues before they become major problems so make sure you call us at 215-259-5850 and we’ll make sure your furnace is ready to keep you safe and comfortable all winter long. 

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