Why Your Furnace May Be Making These Noises
Now is when homeowners start turning on their furnaces to settle in for a long winter. Unfortunately, when some furnaces start up, especially if it hasn’t had a seasonal heating tune-up, there are some issues that need to be examined. A serious problem you may run into 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 likely something faulty with the blower wheel. If you hear a sound like this, power off your furnace immediately and call Peitz Service Experts to inspect the furnace. There are multiple things that could be faulty with the blower wheel. First, it may 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 might be that the motor mount itself broke, causing the whole blower assembly to vibrate uncontrollably. One of our service professionals would be happy to come out and take a look, and get you back to the noiseless and warm home you have come to expect.
Loud Bang When Furnace Starts
If there is a loud bang when your furnace comes on, there are a few things that could be going on. Two typical problems are a dirty furnace burner or ignitor. Extending and contracting air ducts can also cause loud sounds after the heating system blower starts up. A soiled furnace burner or ignitor could delay 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 cause a safety issue, especially if one of these small explosions caused the heat exchanger to deteriorate. Not only could that cause a carbon monoxide leak, but you would also have to replace the heat exchanger, which can be very pricey.
The other issue, expanding and contracting air ducts, is a typical noise complaint for homeowners with metal ducts. If your system is making the loud bang and it is produced by your air ducts, it could be a symptom of undersized ducts, obstructed vents, or a clogged air filter. Peitz Service Experts is happy to visit your home to diagnose your problem and get your home back in shape for the winter. Additionally, this will also result in improved comfort as well.
Whining Noise
If you hear a squealing disturbance, it could be the blower belt, shaft bearings in need of oil, or even a malfunctioning blower motor. An annual system tune-up will help discover these issues before they become big problems so make sure you give us a call at 605-223-0307 and we’ll make sure your heating equipment is ready to keep you safe and warm all winter long.