As a homeowner, one of your primary concerns is keeping all components of your residence running smoothly. That includes the equipment and appliances. Of course, one of the most vital pieces of equipment you own is your heating system. It is always important to ascertain that the furnace is running effectively.
Furnace noises are usually indicators of faulty equipment. They can often be attributed to neglect of routine maintenance after the inactivity of summer, but they sometimes occur simply because old and worn parts fail. In most cases, you won’t know about the problem until you begin to hear noises coming from the furnace. Immediately upon hearing abnormal sounds, you ought to contact an HVAC expert to help you address the issue.
If you know the reasons your furnace might make odd noises and how to identify them, the information could prove invaluable. Let’s take a look at the different types of noises your furnace could produce and what they potentially mean.
Rattling Noises
As your furnace becomes older, it might begin to make some weird rattling noises. It implies that your furnace has a crack in the heat exchanging chamber or that another part is loose. Both of these problems result in loss of heat or inadequate heating patterns.
Rattling is usually due to leaking heat and uneven metal expansion. You should address the issue immediately before it escalates to further damage. Contact an expert right away. They will conduct some basic inspections to determine the origin of the noise before recommending the best strategy for fixing the system. You should never trust your system to anyone who isn’t properly insured and licensed. If you’re anywhere in the Vancouver area, you can turn to us at Northwest HVAC Heating & Cooling.
Clanking Noises
When your furnace has problems with the ignition chamber, you will hear clanking noises. The chamber creates heat by burning fuel, but if there is interference with the fuel being burned, your furnace will produce clanking noises instead.
It could be something as negligible as dirt accumulation inside the burner, a faulty valve preventing sufficient fuel from reaching the chamber, or a malfunctioning flame sensor. Essentially, the system is attempting to induce an ignition but keeps failing. As the process repeats, you will hear a string of clicks.
As soon as you hear the clanking sounds, turn the furnace off and contact an expert to evaluate your entire ignition chamber to identify the source of the noise.
Whistling
A whistling sound implies problems with the blower system. This could indicate that the bearings in the motor are worn, or there is dirt accumulation preventing airflow. In some cases, a faulty capacitor may contribute to this issue as well.
When you hear the whistling noise, you should get in touch with a professional who will inspect the furnace and help you replace the bearings, clean the air vents, or fix any other faults in the blower. It is important to mention that you can prevent noises caused by dirt accumulation when you practice regular maintenance. Moreover, during maintenance, the technician will correct the situation, preventing extensive damage to your system.
Banging Noises
If you rarely maintain the system, dirt can build up in the ignition chamber and the fuel ducts. Over time, the vents might constrict, affecting fuel or airflow to the ignition chamber. Banging sounds usually originate from fuel delay and ignition problems. The banging noise happens when excess fuel accumulates in the ignition chamber. As ignition occurs, the fuel is burned instantaneously, leading to a flare-up and a small explosion. Such repeated action over time leads to irreversible furnace damage.
If you hear any banging sounds in your furnace, turn it off immediately. You should contact an expert to rectify the problem before the damage is extensive.
Loud Buzzing Noises
A normal heating system typically produces a low buzzing sound, but when you hear high-pitched buzzing noises, that indicates a problem with your furnace. It is usually due to electrical issues such as a faulty motor or transformer. It is important to have this problem checked by an expert.
Here at Northwest HVAC Heating & Cooling, we are committed to resolving any concerns you may have with weird sounds originating from your furnace. Our highly trained professionals are uniquely suited to assist you in fixing any issue with your HVAC system. We aim to always keep your home comfortable by ensuring that your equipment is fully functional. Our NATE-certified technicians perform a full array of heating and cooling installations, repairs, and maintenance. We’re located on Northeast 95th Street, and our family-owned and -operated company has been serving the Vancouver area since 1997.
If you have any questions or concerns about your furnace, contact us at Northwest HVAC Heating & Cooling today to access our reliable services.
