Is your furnace making odd noises? Or have you observed that your unit is blowing cold air when you’re expecting a comfortable blast of warm air? If so, it could be a sign that your HVAC equipment is about to fail amid this cold winter season and you might need furnace repair. Here are some common warnings that you shouldn’t ignore when it comes to your furnace:
Scraping Sound
If you hear a loud scraping sound that sounds like metal on metal, there is quite possibly something wrong with the blower wheel. If you hear a sound like this, turn off your furnace right away and call Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning to investigate the furnace. There are several things that could be wrong with the blower wheel. First, it might just be loose and if the piece is not too damaged, can be tightened. Second, it might be that the blower wheel is broken and will require replacement. Or third, it might be that the motor mount is what broke, causing the complete blower assembly to shake uncontrollably.
Loud Bang When Furnace Starts
If there is a loud pop when your furnace turns on, there are a few things that could be going on. Two typical culprits are a dirty furnace burner or ignitor. A dirty furnace burner or ignitor could keep the burners from igniting, causing gas to build up. When the gas finally does ignite, it will generate the loud bang you hear. This could result in a safety issue, especially if one of these small explosions caused the heat exchanger to crack. Not only could that result in a carbon monoxide leak, but you would end up having to replace the heat exchanger, which could be very pricey.
Expanding and contracting air ducts can also generate loud bangs after the heating system blower starts up. This is a typical annoyance for homeowners with metal ducts. If your furnace is making the loud boom and it is produced by your air ducts, it could be a sign of undersized ducts, obstructed vents, or a clogged air filter.
Whining Noise
If you hear a high-pitched noise, it could be the shaft bearings are in need of oil, there is an issue with the blower belt, or the blower motor is malfunctioning. A seasonal furnace tune-up will help identify these issues before they become larger problems.
Cold Air Blowing From Heating System
There are a few reasons why your heating equipment could be emitting cold air. It might sound insignificant, but the thermostat is the first thing you want to consider. It’s the starting place for any furnace technician, as well. Confirm the system is set to “auto” and not “on.” If the thermostat is set to “on,” your heating system will blow continuously, even when it isn’t heating the air being released, thus blasting cold air. Flipping it to “auto” will assure the heating equipment only blows when it’s really heating the air.
You should also check your air filters. Typically air filters need to be changed every month to keep them from becoming dusty and clogged. If they aren’t swapped out often enough, the clogged air filter may restrict airflow into your furnace. If this happens, it can overheat your system, causing the system to cease heating as a safeguard.
Your duct work could also be the source if it has leaks, connection troubles, or was designed incorrectly, which could allow warm air from the heating equipment to leak out. This would not only cause your heating equipment to blow cold air, it could significantly run up your energy bills since your equipment is heating non-living space, and will have to work more to keep your home warm.
There are alternative reasons that your heating system could produce cold air including normal system wear and tear, among others. Especially if you've neglected annual furnace maintenance.
If your heating system is exhibiting any of these warning signs, call Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning at 574-218-6404 or schedule an appointment online and we’ll send a technician to determine your problem and get your home warm and comfortable again in no time.