If you hear a loud noise coming from your heating system, reach out to an HVAC contractor for furnace repair services. This guide from the experts at Grasshopper Heating & Cooling reveals how to pinpoint a failing furnace sound and the heating issue you’re likely dealing with as a result. Knowing this information can help you detect and resolve furnace problems quickly.
Loud Noises That Signal Furnace Problems
It’s not uncommon to hear certain furnace noises, including humming or clicking noises. However, some sounds can indicate broken components that can affect your heat cycle. To safeguard vital parts like your heat exchanger and blower wheel, check out the five furnace noises you shouldn’t ignore.
Whistling Sounds
Furnace whistling noises aren’t just irritating, but they can also cost you a lot of money as you continue to heat your home. The whistling sound usually stems from minor leaks in the air ducts, which causes heat to escape through the vents rather than fill your home. Routine maintenance can make sure your ductwork stays in good condition instead of releasing heat that forces the furnace to work harder.
Screeching Sounds
If you hear a high-pitched squealing noise, some of the furnace’s moving parts, such as the fan belts, may require lubrication. Addressing this problem quickly can prevent further damage to the system, so don’t ignore the loud noise you hear.
Scraping Sounds
Ask an expert, “What does a failing furnace sound like?” and they’ll tell you to pay attention to any scraping or grinding noises. This distinct sound might indicate loose parts or issues with your blower motor. The best thing to do if you hear this or other furnace noises is to shut down your system and let a professional inspect it.
Buzzing or Rattling Sounds
A rattling sound coming from your furnace might mean you have faulty shaft bearings or other loose components. Continuing to run the heater will cause the rattling noises to worsen and risk your system shutting down entirely.
Banging Sounds
If you turn on your heater and notice a delayed ignition followed by a loud banging noise, you likely have gas buildup within your furnace. Call a licensed HVAC repair company near you to inspect the system and rule out other concerns.
Common Furnace Issues Requiring Repairs
Understanding failing furnace sounds will signal that it’s time to call for repairs. What types of issues can you expect a technician to fix? Below is a breakdown of furnace problems that lead to hearing abnormal noises from your system.
Faulty Blower Motor and Blower Wheel
If you tell a repair technician that you hear grinding noises coming from your heater, they’ll likely check the fan motor and blower wheel first. These components can wreak havoc on your system when they’re not in excellent condition and leave you dealing with:
- Loud sounds
- Limited airflow
- High energy costs
Depending on the age of your system, you might need to replace the unit rather than repair the faulty components.
Cracked Heat Exchanger
The furnace’s ignition system becomes an issue if you hear popping or banging noises. Dirty burners cause these sounds, which can ultimately be loud enough to damage the heat exchanger. If this happens, your combustion chamber has trouble operating safely since carbon monoxide and other toxic fumes can escape through the cracks in the heat exchanger, putting your household in harm’s way.
Having a carbon monoxide detector in your home can keep you safe if gases start to escape from your furnace. Evacuate the house immediately and have a qualified technician address all furnace safety and performance concerns.
Clogged Air Filter
You might not think that dirty air filters are a cause for furnace repair. However, clogged filters can result in costly repairs since they promote restricted airflow and hurt the indoor air quality. This ends up leading to problems that affect the entire furnace.
Contact Our HVAC Experts for Professional Heating Repairs
Knowing what a failing furnace sounds like can help you determine when it’s time to call for help. If you hear noises coming from your furnace, reach out to Grasshopper Heating & Cooling for assistance. We can restore your system’s heating cycle and prevent it from making strange noises again.
Our technicians also specialize in air conditioning repairs and are ready to help if warm air flows through your vents instead of cool, comfortable air. Call Grasshopper Heating & Cooling at (518) 545-3271 to request your furnace repair service today.
