Furnaces make a wide range of noises that mean different things. The most common noises, according to furnace repair services providers are:
Rattling sounds
Rattling sounds mean your unit has a loose screw or panel. To fix the problem, you only need to tighten the screw. The sounds might also come about due to a crack in the heat exchanger, which is often a big problem.
When the heat exchanger has a crack, carbon monoxide gas can leak into the house, putting you and your loved one at the risk of intoxication. When you have a crack in the heat exchanger, don’t try to fix the problem by yourself. Contact a professional to diagnose the problem and fix it.
Loud bang
If it sounds as if there is a war in the attic, gas might have built up in the appliance. Don’t ignore this problem as it might be fatal. Loud bangs can lead to cracking of the heat exchanger, which is expensive to fix.
In most cases, the noises come from the furnace. You need to identify why are coming about and fix them. The noises might also come about due to the expansion and shifting of ducts. If you aren’t sure about it, ask an experienced professional to inspect your unit and fix the source of the noise.
Squealing sounds
These sounds indicate a serious problem with your appliance. Does your furnace have a belt-driven fan? The belt might have gotten loose or got damaged. In some cases, the sounds are due to poorly lubricated parts. To fix them, you need to lubricate the moving parts. You need to lubricate them as fast as possible before the metals get damaged, requiring you to undertake expensive furnace repairs.
Furnace professionals also report that you might have the squealing sounds when the blower is malfunctioning. You can’t fix the problem by yourself if you have never done it before. Hire an expert to help you in identifying the sources of the noises and fix them.
Screeching sounds
Screeching sounds mean that something is seriously wrong with your appliance. The sounds come about when you have a loose blower that is hitting the blower housing. If the blower wheel or fan hasn’t been damaged, it’s possible to fix the furnace.
If on the other hand the fan has been broken, you don’t have any other way out other than to replace it.
Screeching sounds will also come about when you have dislodgement of the motor and blower assembly. When the two are dislodged, they hit the housing, hence the noises. You need to hire a furnace expert to identify the sources of the sound and fix them.
Rumbling noises
Rumbling noises are common when you don’t properly maintain your furnace. When you hear them ask yourself when you last hired a professional to tune up the furnace. If it has been more than a year, contact a furnace professional to tune up the unit and the problems will go away.
Be cautious of the contractors you hire as no two professionals are the same. Hire an experienced technician with a proven record. Many homeowners go with the cheapest contractor. Don’t do this. The cheaper the contractor, the lower the quality of the services. It’s good to have a contractor providing the services at a bargain, but if he/she is too cheap, he/she might not give you the services you deserve.
Popping sounds at startup
Popping sounds are normal, but if you have an oil or gas furnace, the sounds mean that the burner is struggling to reach temperatures that are hot enough to combust fuel. As a result, the fuel builds up, and when the burner doesn’t get hot enough, it pops the excess gas or oil.
In some cases, you might hear banging or popping noises as the unit is cycling off. The noises here are due to ducts as they are expanding and contracting due to temperature changes. To fix the problems, inspect the ductwork and keep it in pristine condition.
Clicking sounds
Clicking sounds mean you have a problem in the ignition or heat exchanger. When you hear them, hire a heating service repair McLean professional as soon as possible to avoid incurring huge repair expenses in the future.
If the parts are working correctly, the professional will simply have to tune up the furnace to stop the bolts, nuts, and other parts from clicking.
