It’s that time of year when families start turning on their furnaces to settle in for a long winter. Unfortunately, when some furnaces start up, especially if it hasn’t undergone a fall heating tune-up, there are some troubles that need to be assessed. A big problem you may discover is your furnace making weird noises – take a look at these furnace noises you should never ignore.
Scraping Sound
If you hear a loud scratching noise that sounds like metal on metal, there is probably something wrong with the blower wheel. If you hear a noise like this, turn off your furnace right away and call BW/Cook Service Experts to inspect the system. There are multiple things that could be amiss with the blower wheel. First, it may just be loose and if the piece is not too damaged, can be tightened. Second, it could be that the blower wheel is broken and in need of replacement. Or third, it may be that the motor mount is what broke, causing the complete blower assembly to shake uncontrollably. One of our service professionals would be happy to come over and take a look, and get you back to the silent and comfortable home you have come to love.
Loud Bang When Furnace Starts
If there is a loud bang when your furnace turns on, there are a handful of things that could be occurring. Two typical things are a dirty furnace burner or ignitor. Extending and contracting air ducts can also cause loud bangs after the furnace blower comes on. A soiled furnace burner or ignitor could holdup the burners from igniting, resulting in gas to build up. When the gas does finally ignite, it will create the loud bang you hear. This could result in a safety issue, especially if one of the small explosions caused the heat exchanger to deteriorate. Not only could that result in a carbon monoxide leak, but you would also have to replace the heat exchanger, which may be very expensive.
The other issue, stretching and contracting air ducts, is a common noise complaint for people with metal ducts. If your system is making the loud boom and it is a result of your air ducts, it could be a sign of undersized ducts, obstructed vents, or a clogged air filter. BW/Cook Service Experts is happy to set up an appointment to diagnose your problem and get your home back in working order. Ultimately, this will also result in improved comfort as well.
Whining Noise
If you hear a high-pitched disturbance, it could be the blower belt, shaft bearings in need of oil, or even a malfunctioning blower motor. An annual furnace tune-up will help discover these issues before they become big problems so make sure you give us a call at 574-218-6404 and we’ll make sure your heating equipment is ready to keep you safe and warm all winter long.