Now is when homeowners start turning on their furnaces to settle in for a long winter. Unfortunately, when some heaters start up, especially if it hasn’t had a seasonal heating tune-up, there are some issues that need to be inspected. A big problem you may encounter is your furnace making unusual noises – read about these furnace noises you should never ignore.
Scraping Sound
If you hear a loud scraping racket that sounds like metal on metal, there is possibly something faulty with the blower wheel. If you hear a sound like this, power off your furnace immediately and call Epperson Service Experts to inspect the furnace. There are a few things that could be faulty with the blower wheel. First, it could just be loose and if the component is not too damaged, can be tightened. Second, it may be that the blower wheel is broken and in need of replacement. Or third, it may be that the motor mount actually broke, causing the whole blower assembly to shake uncontrollably. One of our service professionals would be happy to come out and take a look, and get you back to the noiseless and comfortable home you have come to expect.
Loud Bang When Furnace Starts
If there is a loud boom when your furnace kicks on, there are a couple things that could be occurring. Two common problems are a dirty furnace burner or ignitor. Expanding and contracting air ducts can also produce loud bangs after the heating system blower starts up. A filthy furnace burner or ignitor could prevent the burners from igniting, causing 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 produce a carbon monoxide leak, but you’d end up having to replace the heat exchanger, which could be very expensive.
The other problem, extending and contracting air ducts, is a usual noise complaint for homeowners with metal ducts. If your equipment is making the loud boom and it is produced by your air ducts, it could be a symptom of undersized ducts, obstructed vents, or a clogged air filter. Epperson Service Experts is happy to set up an appointment to diagnose your problem and get your home back to order. Ultimately, this will also give you improved comfort as well.
Whining Noise
If you hear a whining disturbance, 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. An annual system tune-up will help find these issues before they become major problems so make sure you contact us at 843-619-3781 and we’ll make sure your furnace is ready to keep you safe and comfortable all winter long.