With winter just around the corner comes the time to run your home's furnace. When first turning on your furnace for the winter, a loud unexpected noise is probably the last thing you want to hear. Still, typical furnace noises can be confused with noises that could indicate more serious issues with the heater. To help you pinpoint these serious issues, Spoor's Heating amp; Air Conditioning details six noises that you don't want to hear coming from your heater.
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Banging
If you notice a banging sound coming from your heating system, this could be caused by your ducts expanding as the furnace turns on, indicating undersized ductwork, a closed heat vent, or a dirty air filter. Also, if you notice a delay from your furnace after turning up the heat, your furnace may be dirty, which can stop the gas in your furnace from igniting, resulting in a loud bang when it ignites. If these gas explosions are left unfixed, they could result in some expensive repairs.
Squealing
A constant, high-pitched squeal coming from your furnace is normally caused by a loose, worn blower belt, but a failing fan motor could also be the cause. A worn-out or fraying blower belt could make a high-pitched squealing noise as it makes its rotations. We recommend calling in an experienced HVAC technician to determine the cause of this high-pitched squealing noise and to make any necessary repairs.
Grinding
The usual culprit behind a grinding noise coming from your heating system is two parts of the heater making contact, such as a broken blower wheel piece hitting the heater's metal housing. Unfortunately, these broken parts can cause other damage. To prevent this, it's important to turn off the heating system and have an experienced HVAC contractor inspect and repair the broken parts as soon as possible.
Rattling
If you notice a rattling noise that doesn't stop after a couple of minutes, this is a typical heating system warning sign. The most common culprit of the noise is that something has come loose, such as a screw, the cover panel, or another part. The more dangerous possibility is a leak in your heat exchanger, which could lead to carbon monoxide leaking into your home. If you can't determine what is making the rattling sound, we recommend turning off your heating system and calling an HVAC technician to inspect it.
Clicking
A clicking noise coming from your furnace is normal, but it could indicate a more significant issue when the clicking is persistent and doesn't turn off after a minute or two. A clicking noise is typically an indication of a faulty flame sensor or a problem with the ignition and the gas. For example, if your furnace is clicking and not providing heat, your furnace's spark igniter might be trying to ignite your pilot light or burners to no avail.