Furnaces make noise, and there are normal sounds you can expect like the humming of the blower and minor pops in the ducts. But some noises are not part of normal operation. If they get loud enough to keep you awake at night they probably indicate a problem. You want professional HVAC maintenance or furnace repair, as soon as possible. Not responding to these sounds could ultimately result in a worse problem and more expensive repair. Here are a few noises you do not want to ignore for long:
1. Loud Scraping Sounds
You should not hear metal rubbing on metal coming from the furnace. This likely means something is wrong with the blower wheel. Maybe it has come loose from the motor shaft and is knocking against the casing. If so, a heating professional can easily tighten it back down as long as it hasn’t caused too much damage to the wheel or shaft. It could also mean the blower wheel itself is broken and needs replacing. Worst case scenario is that the motor mount is broken, causing the entire assembly to drop and scrape against the housing.
2. Loud Pop or Bang When Turning On
When the furnace engages it is fairly common to hear a booming sound. Older models especially will have a slight delay in the ignition and the build-up of gas can cause some noise. But if you also notice an odor of natural gas coming from around the furnace, you want to call a furnace technician as soon as possible.
3. Rattling
This could mean a few things. There might be debris in your system if the sound originates from the outdoor unit. While the grate is meant to protect against most large debris, small twigs or rocks can still make their way inside. If the rattling comes from inside the furnace or another internal component, you will want to call a technician to remove the debris.
4. Hissing
This most often means you have a duct leak, especially if it is emanating from within the walls. The leak not only makes noise, but it can also waste money because the warm air isn’t getting circulated as it should. Call a technician for professional duct repair. If you notice a light hissing coming from the air vents it could mean your filter isn’t installed properly or you have the wrong size. The gap in the seal causes the air to squeeze past and create a hissing sound. Make sure you have the right size and the filter is seated right. Again don’t ignore the noise or your furnace can get dirty and will not work efficiently.
5. Squealing
Have you ever noticed a high-pitched whining coming from the furnace? It could come from a slipping or fraying blower belt, shaft bearings in need of lubrication, or a malfunctioning blower motor. While this isn’t as big of a deal as some of the other noises, you should still call an HVAC technician to come and check things out.
These are only a few of the noises that can be emitted from your furnace. You want to contact Pelle Heating & Air Conditioning as soon as you notice an odd sound. That way you can avoid the risks of your furnace breaking down and becoming a safety hazard in your home. Call (669) 219-8957 to schedule a heating repair. Or if you have questions about furnace noises, visit 1045 N 10th St., San Jose, CA 95112 to talk to one of our professionals today.
The post Furnace Noises You Can’t Afford to Ignore appeared first on Pelle Heating & Air Conditioning.