You’re not alone if your once-quiet furnace has suddenly turned into a noisy roommate. A furnace that becomes significantly louder can be both alarming and disruptive, leaving you wondering, why your furnace is making a loud noise as it works to produce and move warm air throughout your interior.
In this post, the Wardlaw Heating and Air Conditioning team is delving into the reasons behind this type of furnace problem so you can get a better idea about what you may be dealing with.
Therefore, keep reading if you want to learn more about loud, sudden furnace noises!
When Should I Worry About My Furnace Noise?
When operating correctly, your home’s furnace should not create any noise. That said, although a furnace will occasionally make some noise while it is running, there are a few instances where the noises it is making are cause for concern. Take a closer look below at why your furnace is making noises and causing distruptions in your home:
Sudden, loud banging noise
If your furnace suddenly produces loud, sudden banging or booms, you should call an experienced technician as soon as possible. These sounds could indicate stuck ignition, a potentially dangerous situation involving carbon monoxide which is deadly.
Prolonged rumbling or screeching sounds
If the sound is louder than typical and lasts longer than normal, it can be a sign of a problem with dirty burners, high gas pressure, or a malfunctioning heat exchanger, all of which could compromise the equipment’s functionality and safety.
If you suspect there is something wrong with your gas furnace that involves the gas supply, a professional HVAC technician, your local gas company, and emergency services need to be contacted immediately.
High-pitched or shrieking noises
Sounds that exhibit high-pitched or screeching noises may indicate problems with the blower motor or fan. These parts may not be functioning correctly, which could affect the heating system’s performance in your furnace.
Grinding sounds
These sounds may indicate a mechanical problem, such as broken or loose parts. These noises could do more significant damage to your equipment if they are not stopped. This could also exhibit a metal against metal sound.
Rattling noise or vibration sounds
A rattling noise coming from your furnace could indicate that mechanical components within your equipment are loose.
Hissing or whistling sound
A whistling noise may be a sign of cracks or gaps throughout your air ducts. When your home’s air ducts experience damage, it can prevent the furnace from effectively transferring warm air throughout your home.
As a rule of thumb, if you hear any unusual or continuous loud noise coming from your furnace that aren’t part of its regular operation, you should exercise caution and call a specialist for help. Ignoring furnace sounds can lead to more severe issues down the road that will cost more to repair and will cause more harm to your heating equipment.
Why Is My Furnace Blower Motor So Loud?
If your blower motor is making loud noises, there are numerous reasons why this may be happening. Take a closer look below:
- The buildup of dirt and debris: The blower wheel and fan blades may get covered in dirt and other particles over time, creating an imbalance that produces loud noises. Your blower wheel component within your furnace will need to be cleaned by a professional technician.
- Loose or damaged parts: When the furnace is in operation, noises such as creaking or squeaking may be produced by a loose or damaged blower fan.
- Absence of lubrication: For the blower motor to operate effortlessly, oil may be necessary. A high-pitched or screaming noise may be produced by the motor if it is not adequately lubricated.
- Bearing problem: A constant grinding or squealing sound may be caused by worn-out or broken bearings in the blower motor.
- Imbalanced wheel: An unbalanced blower wheel can produce considerable vibrations.
- Blower motor wear and tear: The blower motor is susceptible to wear and tear as it gets older. This may result in the motor running noisier and less effectively. A failing motor can also reduce airflow through your homes duct system.
- Ineffective belt: A worn-out or defective belt might produce a loud, screeching sound if the blower in your furnace is belt-driven.
- Airflow restrictions: The blower may have to work harder due to blockages in the ductwork, which will raise the noise level. It could also suggest blocks in your air vents, which is preventing hot air from entering into each room. Lastly, a furnace that makes whistling sounds can also suggest that you have a clogged air filter or a dirty filter. A dirty or clogged air filter needs to be changed or cleaned regularly. Air filters not only ensure your furnace is able to function correctly, but it also affects the indoor air quality in your home.
- Delayed ignition: If you have a gas furnace, you may be dealing with a delayed ignition sequence. When the gas furnace turns on to begin the heating cycle, it can create a mini explosion within the combustion chamber which will sound like a loud booming.
How Do I Fix My Furnace from Being Loud?
If your furnace is noisy, here’s a closer look at how to fix it:
Frequent maintenance
Often, the best treatment for a loud furnace is prevention. Don’t forget to make an appointment to have your annual maintenance professional furnace cleaning with a certified technician. A skilled technician can maintain the silent and efficient operation of your furnace by inspecting, cleaning, and lubricating its parts.
Clean air filters
Cleaning or replacing air filters is necessary because a dirty or congested filter limits airflow, making the furnace work harder and produce more noise. Have the filter changed every one to three months.
Look for damage
Open your furnace compartment and check for any apparent damage if you notice something out of the ordinary, like rust, cracks, or parts that are broken.
If you’ve tried the above steps and the problem persists, or if you’re unsure about the issue, it’s best to consult a professional HVAC technician. They can conduct a comprehensive inspection, diagnose the underlying cause of the noise, and recommend suitable repairs.
Furnace noise can have a variety of causes, and it’s essential to know when furnace sounds should raise red flags. Sounds such as sharp cracks, steady rumbling, high-pitched screams, grinding noises, and continual rattling or vibrations should all be reported and dealt with right away.
Ignoring these types of sounds can result in more severe and expensive issues. As such, to guarantee that your heating system operates silently and effectively in your home, regular furnace inspections and prompt repairs that are conducted by a professional technician are necessary.
Is your furnace making loud noises? Book furnace repair services with Wardlaw today!
Is your home’s furnace making loud noises? If so, the professional and experienced HVAC team from Wardlaw Heating and Air Conditioning is here to help.
Our team of certified and experienced HVAC technicians are available 24/7/365 days a year, including after-hours, weekends, and holidays, at no extra cost to you ever. If you’re a homeowner living in Aweres Township, Bruce Minds, Echo Bay, Hilton Beach, Prince Township, or the surrounding areas, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at any time to schedule a furnace repair appointment.
Get in touch with us over the phone or use our online booking form. We look forward to working with you!
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