This is the time of year homeowners start turning on their heating systems to settle in for a cold winter. Unfortunately, when some furnaces start up, especially if it hasn’t had a yearly heating tune-up, there are some problems that need to be assessed. A major problem you may discover is your furnace making funny noises – read about these furnace noises you should never ignore.
Scraping Sound
If you hear a loud scratching racket that sounds like metal on metal, there is likely something wrong with the blower wheel. If you hear something like this, power off your furnace immediately and call Jack Nelson 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 might be that the blower wheel is broken and in need of replacement. Or third, it might be that the motor mount is what broke, causing the whole blower assembly to vibrate uncontrollably. One of our service technicians 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 boom when your furnace kicks on, there are a few things that could be going on. Two typical things are a dirty furnace burner or ignitor. Stretching and contracting air ducts can also produce loud booms after the heating blower turns on. A dirty furnace burner or ignitor could prevent the burners from igniting, resulting in gas to build up. When the gas does finally ignite, it will create the loud boom you hear. This could end up being a safety issue, especially if one of the small explosions caused the heat exchanger to crack. Not only could that result in a carbon monoxide leak, but you would also have to replace the heat exchanger, which can be very costly.
The other problem, stretching and contracting air ducts, is a usual noise complaint for people 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, closed vents, or a clogged air filter. Jack Nelson Service Experts is happy to come out to diagnose your trouble and get your home back in working order. Additionally, this will also give you improved comfort as well.
Whining Noise
If you hear a squealing sound, it could be the blower motor is malfunctioning, the shaft bearings are in need of oil, or an issue with the blower belt. An annual heating tune-up will help catch these issues before they become serious problems so make sure you give us a call at 918-212-8927 and we’ll make sure your heating system is ready to keep you safe and comfortable all winter long.