Is your furnace making unusual sounds? This can be very concerning as you reach the end of the winter season. You want to make sure that your furnace is in good condition before you turn it off in anticipation of summer. Allowing problems to fester between now and next winter is a bad idea because they can worsen.
Some of the biggest indications of furnace problems are unusual sounds. If you think that you need furnace service in Plattsburgh, NY, our team is here to help. In the meantime, you can keep reading to learn about sounds that you may hear coming from your furnace, and what they mean.
Scraping
This sound is especially alarming since it can sound like metal on metal. That’s because it usually is. If a part of your blower fan is broken, it can come loose and scrape against the surrounding casing. If you allow the blower wheel to continue scraping, it’s only going to lead to more damage. And the damage could spread outside of your HVAC system if the problem worsens enough to cause a larger hazard.
Squealing or Screeching
This is another problem that can have to do with your furnace system’s blower motor. The belt and bearings inside of the motor are usually well lubricated to allow them to work together to heat your home. If these bearings dry out, they can produce a screeching or squealing sound as they rub together.
Adding lubrication is only one part of the solution. Bearings can dry out because they have dust and dirt buildup that may also need to be cleaned out. It is a best practice to have an expert look at your system, even if you think that you can address the problem yourself. DIY solutions don’t always work as well as you think they will.
Whistling
If you hear whistling, it’s a sign that something is wrong with the airflow somewhere in your furnace. It may be that airflow is restricted somewhere in the system. Then as it forces through a small opening, it produces a whistling sound. The trick can be determining where the whistling sound is coming from and what is causing it. You can try changing out your air filter to see if that helps, but if it doesn’t then it’s time to give our team a call.
Banging or Popping
These sounds may actually be normal in your furnace. However, hearing them too often is definitely a problem. Your ductwork may bang and pop as it expands or contracts with temperature changes but if these changes are too severe, it can cause leaks to develop in the ductwork. The sounds can also point toward dirty burners caused by delayed ignition. If you’re hearing banging or booming when your system first turns on, it may be a mini explosion that happens after gas builds up in the ignition chamber. This can lead to a crack in your heat exchanger, which requires replacing the entire furnace. Addressing it sooner rather than later can mean fixing the problem before it gets worse.
Rattling
A rattling sound usually indicates that something is loose inside your furnace. It could be a loose panel, a loose door, or even a small part that is knocking around inside the system.
Make sure to have a professional address any concerns you have with your furnace. Trying a DIY solution can put you and your heating system at risk of further harm.
Red Rock Mechanical, LLC serves Northwest Vermont and Northeast New York. Schedule an appointment for heating service with us today.
