You are quick to realize that your HVAC has a problem if the vents start to blow out cool or lukewarm air in the middle of winter and you will no doubt give the professionals a call immediately for repairs. But what about when your furnace makes strange noises? Are you tempted to wait a while before calling the furnace professionals or are you shrugging the noises off as a normal part of furnace operation?
Please don’t ignore furnace noises, they could be an indication of a hazard. Instead, you should alert your HVAC professional. Below are some of the noises you don’t want to hear from your furnace but if you do please give Kings Heating and Air Conditioning a call and protect your family from a potential hazard.
Furnace Noise #1: Banging or Booming
If your furnace is making a banging or booming sound it is usually a sign of a dirty burner. Although this may seem like a minor problem, it can actually be quite dangerous. The noise is caused by the dirt and grime build up in the burner resulting in a delay in the ignition. When the build-up of gas ignites it causes a mini explosion in the furnace.
We do not recommend that you clean the burners yourself, there is too much room for error. Besides which you really don’t want to have to spend more money in the long run. Instead be safe and call a professional, especially if you have a gas furnace.
Furnace Noise #2: Rattling
You may think that the rattling noise coming from your furnace is just a loose panel or screw but you may have a cracked heat exchanger which can be a very dangerous issue to have. It’s important to get it checked by a trained professional to be sure.
Cracked heat exchangers are more common in aging furnaces and not very visible to the eye. The result is carbon monoxide leaking into your home which can make you and your family ill or even result in fatalities.
Furnace Noise #3: Screeching
Hearing a screeching sound is usually a sign that the blower motor in your furnace isn’t working properly. If the blower is not working as it should the heat produced by your furnace will not be able to effectively circulate the warm air around your home. It could mean that the blower needs lubrication, but it could also be possible that the fan has stopped altogether. It is important that a HVAC professional does a proper inspection to adequately diagnose the situation so that he can advise you what needs to be done to remedy the problem.
Furnace Noise #4: Clanking
Noises like metal on metal can be an indication of a serious problem with the furnace blower wheel. It is best to turn off the furnace to prevent further damage to the wheel and contact a trained professional immediately.
Do you want some help tracking down the source of your own furnace noises? Kings Heating and Air Conditioning in Lynnwood is here to help. Contact us for professional help.
