After a few years of running your furnace every winter, you know how it’s supposed to sound. So it will likely catch your attention if the equipment starts making odd noises. Some noises — like several minor pops or clicks ahead of the warm air beginning to blow — are completely harmless. But others could ruin the equipment or even jeopardize your health if you neglect them. Of all the furnace noises you might encounter, here are nine that are worthy of an immediate furnace repair.
Scraping Furnace Noise
If you hear a sound like metal against metal, this could suggest the blower wheel has come loose from the motor shaft, or the wheel or motor mount has broken. No matter what the exact problem, you should power down your furnace if you discover a scraping sound and call a professional for an emergency repair.
Loud Boom at Startup
When your furnace starts up, the burners should ignite right away and get started heating your home. A loud boom at startup probably means the burners are dirty, which causes a delayed ignition. When the gas finally does ignite, you hear this shocking furnace noise.
A small explosion each time your furnace turns on could break the heat exchanger, a pricey repair that might require you to remove and replace the entire furnace. Don't wait to act when you hear a noise like that! Turn off your furnace if you hear a loud boom at startup, and don’t use it again until it has been repaired.
Squealing or Whining Sounds
A screaky or loud squealing furnace noise generally signifies poor lubrication. Shaft bearings and other moving parts require lightweight oil to operate smoothly. If these parts are dry, components grate against each other and cause unnecessary wear and tear. Our recommendation is to have this problem remedied right away to prevent premature furnace failure.
Chirping Noise
The sound of a bird caught in your furnace absolutely warrants investigation. If you hear chirping during the first furnace cycle of the season, it could simply mean your furnace is warming up after months of no use. In this case, the sound should stop after a few cycles.
However, if the chirping doesn’t subside, it could imply the pulley for the blower motor is crooked or the mounting plate is coming in contact with the blower wheel. This isn’t necessarily a safety risk, but the only option to stop the pesky furnace noise is to have a technician perform a repair.
Screeching Furnace
Screeching noises are an unmistakable warning sign that the fan belt is deteriorating. If the fraying belt splits, it could whip around inside the furnace, harming other components and contributing to a much more expensive repair. Insulate yourself from this hassle by exchanging the worn-out belt sooner rather than later.
Persistent Clicking.
Some furnaces give off a rapid series of clicks when they turn on and off. This is common and no reason to be concerned. Having said that, if the noise carries on longer than approximately 60 seconds, this could signal an electrical complication. Don't risk an electrical fire! Simply call a furnace repair professional to solve the problem without delay.
Thwapping Sounds
The blower motor should run properly when the furnace turns on. If you notice a thwapping sound that dramatically picks up speed as the blower gets going, this likely means something is snagged in the fan, and the blades are striking it with each rotation. A straightforward repair should be all it takes to eliminate this pestering furnace noise and protect against damaging the blower motor.
Rattling Furnace
A few different problems can cause your furnace to rattle. It might be as simple as a loose door cover, so verify that option first. If the rattling remains, the most likely culprit is a malfunctioning blower motor. Consider this a warning sign to have your furnace repaired before it breaks down completely.
Whistling or Vibrating
When these noises come from the furnace, it could mean the air intake vent is dislodged. If the whistling or vibrating comes from a vent, your ductwork is likely separated somewhere, allowing conditioned air to leak. These aren’t critical matters, but if you address it promptly, you’ll save money on your heating and cooling bills over the long haul.
Schedule Furnace Repair with Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning
Are you unsure whether the furnace noises you hear correspond to these descriptions? It might be nothing, but for your peace of mind, the best thing to do is to call a professional. At Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning, we have emergency furnace repair to get your system functioning properly as soon as possible. Feel safe knowing that we stand behind our work with a one-year, 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you’re unhappy with our work anytime in the next 12 months, we’ll get it corrected! For more information or to arrange a furnace repair visit, please contact a Service Experts office near you.