If the furnace in your Southwest Ohio area home is making funny sounds, you might have a very good reason for concern. Although some noises are okay, other noises should be checked by an HVAC professional.
As such, we at Monroe Heating & Air list four common furnace noises a homeowner might hear and how our preventative maintenance service can help you avoid expensive repairs.
Humming Noises
Humming noises coming from a heating system isn’t a normal sound and might be from a malfunctioning starting capacitor or some other issue having to do with the motor itself. If not addressed by a technician, this humming sound could get loud and then evolve into a blown motor. Keep in mind, you should hear a faint humming noise the day your system is installed. We are referring to anything louder than that.
Screeching or Squealing Sounds
If there’s a discernable screeching or squealing noise that’s like nails on a chalkboard, or metal scratching, it might indicate your blower wheel is having problems. The wheel might have come loose from the motor shaft. Or, it may be broken or hitting against the sides of the system. In any case, screeching noises often indicate a bad belt or motor blower.
Loud Banging or Popping Noises
Popping or banging sounds are normal with systems using ductwork to transport air because your air duct system is made of sheet metal, which expands and contracts as it heats and cools. Having said that, if you notice excessively louder than normal popping or banging and you aren’t getting the heated air you one did, there might be a problem with the ignition system. As such, if your unit’s burners are dirty, they will enable gas to get inside the housing. Because it won’t be able to light at the burner with it escaping, this can lead to an explosion.
As such, this problem can be an extremely dangerous one. If this is something your heating system is doing, please turn it off and call us without delay.
Thwapping Sounds
If you hear a “thwapping” noise, or smacking sound that sounds like a playing card flapping against a bicycle spoke, there’s probably something lodged or stuck in the blower’s blades. If this is the case and the object comes loose, it could go into the housing and damage something else.
Don’t take risks!
Furnaces are intricate machines that are expensive; they utilize an assortment of parts. Plus, they use fuel to generate heat. If you are noticing any other unfamiliar sounds — thumping, squealing, rumbling, banging, loud whistling, etc. — turn the system off and give us a call right away to prevent further damage.
If your furnace is not heating properly and is making noises, call Monroe Heating & Air today at (513) 540-4890, or schedule an appointment now by clicking here!
Also keep in mind, these are things that can be addressed ahead of time as part of a standard preventative maintenance appointment, which really should be done every year!
