Common Furnace Noises Explained
Is your furnace making odd noises? Or have you found that your unit is blowing cold air when you’re expecting a comfortable blast of warm air? If so, it could be a indication that your HVAC equipment is about to fail in the middle of this cold winter season and you might need furnace repair. Here are some common warnings that you shouldn’t neglect when it comes to your furnace:
Scraping Sound
If you hear a loud scraping sound that sounds like metal on metal, there is likely something faulty with the blower wheel. If you hear a sound like this, turn off your furnace immediately and call Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning to investigate the furnace. There are several things that could be wrong with the blower wheel. First, it might just be loose and if the piece is not too damaged, can be tightened. Second, it might be that the blower wheel is broken and will require replacement. Or third, it might be that the motor mount is what broke, causing the complete blower assembly to shake uncontrollably.
Loud Bang When Furnace Starts
If there is a loud pop when your furnace starts up, there are several things that could be occurring. Two common culprits are a contaminated furnace burner or ignitor. A dirty furnace burner or ignitor could prevent the burners from igniting, causing gas to build up. When the gas finally does ignite, it will generate the loud bang 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 result in a carbon monoxide leak, but you would end up having to replace the heat exchanger, which could be very costly.
Expanding and contracting air ducts can also create loud bangs after the heating system blower starts up. This is a usual annoyance for homeowners with metal ducts. If your furnace is making the loud boom and it is produced by your air ducts, it could be a sign of undersized ducts, obstructed vents, or a clogged air filter.
Whining Noise
If you hear a high-pitched noise, it could be the shaft bearings are in need of oil, there is an issue with the blower belt, or the blower motor is not functioning properly. A seasonal furnace tune-up will help identify these issues before they become big problems.
Cold Air Blowing From Heating System
There are a few reasons why your heating equipment could be emitting cold air. It might sound minor, but the thermostat is the first thing you want to check out. It’s the starting place for any furnace technician, as well. Confirm the system is set to “auto” and not “on.” If the thermostat is set to “on,” your heating system will blow continuously, even when it isn’t heating the air being released, thus blasting cold air. Flipping it to “auto” will assure the heating equipment only blows when it’s really heating the air.
You should also check your air filters. Typically air filters need to be changed every month to keep them from becoming dusty and clogged. If they aren’t replaced often enough, the clogged air filter may restrict airflow into your furnace. If this is the case, it can overheat your system, causing the system to halt heating as a safeguard.
Your duct work could also be the culprit if it has leaks, connection issues, or was designed incorrectly, which could permit warm air from the heating equipment to leak out. This would not only cause your heating equipment to blow cold air, it could dramatically run up your energy bills since your equipment is heating non-living space, and will have to work overtime to keep your home warm.
There are other reasons that your heating system could generate cold air including normal system wear and tear, among others. Especially if you've neglected annual furnace maintenance.
If your heating system is exhibiting any of these warning signs, call Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning at 912-208-2399 or schedule an appointment online and we’ll send a technician to investigate your issue and get your home warm and comfortable again in no time.
