Anyone familiar with the movie A Christmas Story knows that the rumbling furnace in Ralphie’s home is something that can’t be easily ignored. However, if you have furnace problems, they aren’t always going to be that obvious, and some indications that there’s something wrong may be easier to ignore than you think. If you notice that your heating unit is making one of these noises, don’t delay – call a reputable HVAC company to fix the problem before it gets out of hand.
Scraping Noises
The sound of metal scraping on metal is never good, and that includes your furnace. If you hear that distinctive sound, it means that there’s something loose in the furnace that needs to be tightened or replaced immediately.
There are a few different reasons that your blower wheel is making this noise, and a professional HVAC technician can determine the root cause.
- The motor mount is broken, causing the entire blower assembly to break, hitting the motor housing
- The blower wheel got knocked loose from the motor shaft and is hitting the blower casing
- The blower wheel itself is broken and must be replaced
Loud Pop or Bang When the Furnace Turns On
A banging or popping sound when the furnace is turned in can mean one of two things.
First, if you have metal air ducts in your home, they’ll expand and contract when the furnace is turned on and off. If you hear a popping sound, the ducts may need to be replaced or have the joinings fixed. Or, you may have undersized ducts, closed vents, a clogged air filter, or just flimsy ducts in general.
Second, dirty furnace burners can cause delays in the ignition. The build-up of dust makes it harder for the furnace to ignite, but gas is still building up. The popping sound you heat is the pocket of gas igniting along with the furnace. Over time, these small explosions can damage the furnace and heat exchanger, causing cracks that are expensive to repair – if they can be fixed. It’s best to have your furnace cleaned and serviced annually, an inexpensive and simple way to prevent this from occurring.
Squealing or Whining Noise
Squealing or whining when your furnace is running can be caused by several things, but many of these things are a part or parts that need to be replaced. A frayed blower belt, for example, or a blower motor that isn’t working properly is common, and is part of general wear and tear on the furnace.
Or, the shaft bearings in the furnace need to be oiled (please have a technician complete this repair), or even small leaks can cause a high pitched whining sound.
Schedule Your Furnace Inspection Today!
These aren’t the only things that can indicate a problem with your furnace. If you notice anything unusual, give one of our techs a call today – furnace problems only get worse over time. At HVAC Industries, we can fix any furnace problem, whether it’s a simple cleaning and preventative maintenance inspection or an emergency repair – or anything in between. Give us a call to schedule a service. We’re here to work for you!
