Why Your Furnace May Be Making These Noises

This is the time of year people start turning on their heating systems to settle in for a long winter. Unfortunately, when some furnaces start up, especially if it hasn’t undergone a yearly heating tune-up, there are some problems that need to be examined. A serious problem you may encounter is your furnace making funny noises – take a look at these furnace noises you should never disregard. 

Scraping Sound 

If you hear a loud scraping sound that sounds like metal on metal, there is probably something defective with the blower wheel. If you hear something like this, power off your furnace right away and call McKinley Heating Service Experts to inspect the system. There are a few things that could be wrong with the blower wheel. First, it might 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 in need of replacement. Or third, it could be that the motor mount is what broke, causing the complete blower assembly to vibrate uncontrollably. One of our service professionals would be happy to come out and take a look, and get you back to the silent and warm home you have come to love. 

Loud Bang When Furnace Starts 

If there is a loud boom when your furnace turns on, there are a few things that could be occurring. Two common issues are a dirty furnace burner or ignitor. Extending and contracting air ducts can also create loud booms after the heating blower turns on. A filthy furnace burner or ignitor could prevent the burners from igniting, causing gas to build up. When the gas finally ignites, it will create the loud boom you hear. This could end up being a safety issue, especially if one of those small explosions caused the heat exchanger to crack. Not only could that produce a carbon monoxide leak, but you will have to replace the heat exchanger, which may be very costly. 

The other problem, extending and contracting air ducts, is a usual noise complaint for homes with metal ducts. If your equipment is making the loud bang and it is produced by your air ducts, it could be a sign of undersized ducts, obstructed vents, or a clogged air filter. McKinley Heating Service Experts is happy to set up an appointment to diagnose your trouble and get your home back to order. Ultimately, this will also give you improved comfort as well. 

Whining Noise 

If you hear a high-pitched sound, 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. A seasonal furnace tune-up will help discover these issues before they become major problems so make sure you give us a call at 780-800-7092 and we’ll make sure your heating equipment is ready to keep you safe and cozy all winter long.