Why Your Furnace May Be Making These Noises

November 23, 2016

Now is when people start turning on their furnaces to settle in for a long winter. Unfortunately, when some heaters start up, especially if it hasn’t had a fall heating tune-up, there are some issues that need to be assessed. A big problem you may discover is your furnace making unusual noises – check out these furnace noises you should never disregard.

Scraping Sound

If you hear a loud raking racket that sounds like metal on metal, there is possibly something wrong with the blower wheel. If you hear something like this, power off your furnace ASAP and call Rolf Griffin Service Experts to inspect the furnace. There are multiple things that could be faulty with the blower wheel. First, it could just be loose and if the piece is not too harmed, can be tightened. Second, it might be that the blower wheel is broken and needs to be replaced. Or third, it could be that the motor mount itself broke, causing the entire blower assembly to shake uncontrollably. One of our service experts would be happy to come out and take a look, and get you back to the quiet and comfortable home you have come to love.

Loud Bang When Furnace Starts

If there is a loud boom when your furnace turns on, there are a couple things that could be occurring. Two typical issues are a dirty furnace burner or ignitor. Stretching and contracting air ducts can also create loud bangs after the furnace blower comes on. A dirty furnace burner or ignitor could holdup the burners from igniting, causing gas to build up. When the gas finally does ignite, it will create the loud boom you hear. This could cause a safety issue, especially if one of these small explosions caused the heat exchanger to break. Not only could that produce a carbon monoxide leak, but you’d end up having to replace the heat exchanger, which could be very pricey.

The other issue, stretching and contracting air ducts, is a common noise complaint for homes 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. Rolf Griffin Service Experts is happy to come out to diagnose your issue and get your home back in working order. Additionally, this will also give you 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 catch these issues before they become big problems so make sure you call us at 260-557-1275 and we’ll make sure your heating system is ready to keep you safe and warm all winter long.

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