Almost everything mechanical makes noise while operating. However, in the case of a furnace, it should be unnoticeable. It could be a soft or loud noise, scraping, or screeching. Whatever it may be, you should immediately get down to attend the issue or take help from a heating service repair. Let us take a look at some of the strange noises furnaces can make.

Loud Bang Or Boom

If you hear a gunshot sound go off while turning on the furnace, it might be that there was gas build-up inside the system. Since it is a loud noise, ignoring it will be a silly mistake. It could cause the heat exchanger to crack, which is both expensive and dangerous. In such a case, turn the system off immediately and call a professional.

In addition to that, dirty burners may also cause the ignition to delay. As a result, the gas builds-up and explodes when the ignition comes on. Therefore, make sure that your furnace is provided with an annual maintenance service, which will prevent this from happening. The professionals will not only inspect but clean the burners as well as part of the tune-up.

The loud bang or boom might also be due to contracting and expanding ducts. However, this sound is quite different from the exploding sound mentioned earlier, so you will clearly notice it. Furthermore, it happens to be a normal problem with HVAC owners. Luckily, you can prevent such noises as well. Call a professional to come and inspect the sealing and insulating ducts. It might be that the air filter may need replacement or the dampers need adjustment.

Metal Against Metal Noise

If you hear a loud scraping and clanking noise, it could be that there is a serious problem with your furnace’s blower wheel. In such a case, turn off the furnace immediately and wait for the HVAC technician to come and take a look. Chances are that the blower fan might have come loose and is now hitting the blower house casing. The repair will not take too long if the blower wheel/fan is not too damaged. In other cases, the blower fan may be broken and will require professional replacement.

Rattling Noise

Rattling noise coming from the furnace might indicate a loose screw or loose panel. If you plan on inspecting the issue, make sure you turn the furnace off first. Then, using a screwdriver, try tightening the panel to see if it fixes the issue. If the problem remains, it could indicate a crack or leak in your heat exchanger, which is a very serious case. A faulty heat exchange will leak harmful carbon monoxide inside the house. This sound needs immediate attention and therefore, you need to call a professional for help.

Rumbling Noise

A rumbling sound is different from rattling and banging. Normally a rumbling sound indicates that the furnace has not been maintained properly and requires service. This usually means that the pilot light or dirty gas burners might need adjustment. Furthermore, the flame of the furnace should be blue, which means that the furnace is efficient and burning clean. If the tip happens to be yellow, there is no need to worry, it is perfectly normal. However, be aware of yellow, orange, red, or purple as that might indicate hazardous conditions.

Screeching Or Squealing Noise

As compared to the rest of the noises, screeching and squealing noises are not a big deal. However, it is still something you would want to watch out for. If your furnace requires a belt-driven motor, then it might be damaged or loose, resulting in squealing or similar sound. In addition to that, the shaft bearings or other moving parts might have become dry as well. In such a case, a professional will visit and lubricate the furnace parts.

Final Word

If you own an old furnace, the above-mentioned noises might indicate that the furnace is dying. Repairs can be expensive, therefore, it is suggested that you call a professional technician for help. If the repair expenses outweigh the actual value of the unit, consider a replacement. You should discuss this with the furnace repair service ronkonkoma and reach a conclusion if it needs replacement or repair.