Why Your Furnace May Be Making These Noises

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

Scraping Sound 

If you hear a loud scraping noise that sounds like metal on metal, there is probably something defective with the blower wheel. If you hear something like this, shut off your furnace immediately and call Aramendia Plumbing, Heating and Air to inspect the furnace. There are a few things that could be wrong with the blower wheel. First, it could just be loose and if the piece is not too damaged, 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 actually broke, causing the entire blower assembly to vibrate uncontrollably. One of our service technicians would be happy to come to your home and take a look, and get you back to the noiseless and warm home you have come to expect. 

Loud Bang When Furnace Starts 

If there is a loud pop when your furnace turns on, there are a couple things that could be happening. Two typical issues are a dirty furnace burner or ignitor. Stretching and contracting air ducts can also create loud bangs after the furnace blower comes on. A filthy furnace burner or ignitor could delay the burners from igniting, causing gas to build up. When the gas finally does ignite, it will create the loud boom you hear. This could result in a safety issue, especially if one of these small explosions caused the heat exchanger to crack. Not only could that cause a carbon monoxide leak, but you would also have to replace the heat exchanger, which may be very expensive. 

The other issue, expanding and contracting air ducts, is a usual noise complaint for homeowners with metal ducts. If your furnace is making the loud pop and it is a result of your air ducts, it could be a sign of undersized ducts, closed vents, or a clogged air filter. Aramendia Plumbing, Heating and Air is happy to come out to diagnose your issue and get your home back in shape for the winter. Ultimately, this will also result in improved comfort as well. 

Whining Noise 

If you hear a high-pitched noise, it could be the blower belt, shaft bearings in need of oil, or even a malfunctioning blower motor. A seasonal heating tune-up will help catch these issues before they become big problems so make sure you give us a call at 210-404-4233 and we’ll make sure your heating equipment is ready to keep you safe and comfortable all winter long.