It’s that time of year when people start turning on their heaters to settle in for a frigid winter. Unfortunately, when some heaters start up, especially if it hasn’t had 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 – read about these furnace noises you should never ignore.
Scraping Sound
If you hear a loud raking noise that sounds like metal on metal, there is likely something faulty with the blower wheel. If you hear something like this, power off your furnace immediately and call Barlow Service Experts to inspect the furnace. There are a few things that could be amiss with the blower wheel. First, it could just be loose and if the part is not too impaired, can be tightened. Second, it could be that the blower wheel is broken and will require replacement. Or third, it could be that the motor mount is what broke, causing the entire blower assembly to rattle uncontrollably. One of our service experts would be happy to come over and take a look, and get you back to the silent and comfortable home you have come to expect.
Loud Bang When Furnace Starts
If there is a loud boom when your furnace turns on, there are a few things that could be happening. Two common things are a dirty furnace burner or ignitor. Stretching and contracting air ducts can also produce loud booms after the heating system blower starts up. A soiled furnace burner or ignitor could holdup the burners from igniting, forcing gas to build up. When the gas does finally ignite, it will create the loud boom you hear. This could cause a safety issue, especially if one of those small explosions caused the heat exchanger to deteriorate. Not only could that cause a carbon monoxide leak, but you will have to replace the heat exchanger, which could be very expensive.
The other problem, stretching and contracting air ducts, is a common noise complaint for homes with metal ducts. If your furnace is making the loud pop and it is a result of your air ducts, it could be a symptom of undersized ducts, closed vents, or a clogged air filter. Barlow Service Experts is happy to set up an appointment to diagnose your problem and get your home back in working order. Also, 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. A seasonal system tune-up will help discover these issues before they become serious problems so make sure you contact us at 801-436-8985 and we’ll make sure your furnace is ready to keep you safe and warm all winter long.