It’s that time of year when families start turning on their heaters to settle in for a frigid winter. Unfortunately, when some furnaces start up, especially if it hasn’t received a seasonal heating tune-up, there are some issues that need to be assessed. A major problem you may discover is your furnace making weird noises – check out these furnace noises you should never neglect.
Scraping Sound
If you hear a loud scraping racket that sounds like metal on metal, there is possibly something faulty with the blower wheel. If you hear something like this, turn off your furnace right away and call Midway Services to inspect the equipment. There are multiple things that could be wrong with the blower wheel. First, it could just be loose and if the part is not too impaired, can be tightened. Second, it may be that the blower wheel is broken and will require replacement. Or third, it might be that the motor mount itself broke, causing the complete blower assembly to shake uncontrollably. One of our service technicians would be happy to come over and take a look, and get you back to the noiseless and comfortable home you have come to adore.
Loud Bang When Furnace Starts
If there is a loud bang when your furnace turns on, there are a handful of things that could be happening. Two typical problems are a dirty furnace burner or ignitor. Stretching and contracting air ducts can also produce loud bangs after the furnace blower comes on. A filthy 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 cause a safety issue, especially if one of those small explosions caused the heat exchanger to deteriorate. Not only could that produce a carbon monoxide leak, but you will have to replace the heat exchanger, which may be very expensive.
The other problem, stretching and contracting air ducts, is a usual noise complaint for people with metal ducts. If your equipment is making the loud bang and it is caused by your air ducts, it could be a symptom of undersized ducts, blocked vents, or a clogged air filter. Midway Services 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 high-pitched sound, it could be the blower belt, shaft bearings in need of oil, or even a malfunctioning blower motor. A seasonal furnace tune-up will help discover these issues before they become big problems so make sure you contact us at 727-219-2471 and we’ll make sure your furnace is ready to keep you safe and comfortable all winter long.