Why Your Furnace is Making a Weird Noise
It’s Not a Haunted House — It’s the Furnace Making Those Strange Sounds!
Fall is here, and there’s a chill in the air. Pumpkins are appearing on doorsteps, and the leaves are changing. This means two things: That Halloween is almost here, and that furnaces all around the country are being fired up for the first time in months. Inevitably, many homeowners will be experiencing some strange sounds in their homes. And while some imaginative homeowners may hear these strange sounds and think of goblins and ghouls, the reality is even more frightening. Furnace sounds can mean many things, and ignoring them can do nothing but make the problems worse. So read on to learn all about scary furnace sounds and what they mean.
Sudden and Scary BOOM Sounds
One type of freaky furnace noise is a sudden boom sound. This noise can mean a few different things. Some of them are harmless, while others should be addressed as soon as possible. If it seems to come from above the ceiling, it could be ductwork contracting and expanding as the temperature changes. But this also could be a dirty burner or a defective gas valve.
When the cause is ductwork, the popping sounds are relatively quiet and don’t repeat very often at any given time. But suppose the boom sounds are louder and sound as if they’re coming from the furnace itself. In that case, it could be that the burner is dirty, which can cause a delay in the ignition resulting in a gas buildup and a miniature explosion when the gas finally ignites.
Screaming, Screeching, and Clunking
A loud screaming or screeching sound is a sign that something is wrong. No amount of screeching is normal when the furnace is on. This is commonly an issue with a fan belt that’s out of alignment or needs to be replaced. But it can also be an issue with a bearing or a blower motor. Clunking can also be caused by an imbalanced blower wheel or a problem with the motor itself.
The Dreaded Rattle and BANG!
Homeowners that experience a rattle followed by a loud bang should be especially wary of an issue with the heat exchanger. This issue and the accompanying sound often happen when the furnace turns on, although a rattle at any time when the furnace is on is a sign that something is wrong. If the heat exchanger is cracked, the likelihood that there’s a carbon monoxide leak is high. And leaking carbon monoxide is a serious issue that needs to be addressed by a professional as soon as possible.
While strange furnace sounds can certainly be scary, they aren’t of a supernatural making. They can and should be addressed by a furnace repair company. Although gas furnaces are safe, they can have issues once in a while. And dealing with these issues promptly can save homeowners money by preventing the need for total furnace replacement.
About Air Comfort Services, Inc.
Air Comfort Services, Inc. has proudly served St. Peters, MO for over 50 years. They offer superb workmanship and excellent customer service. They offer straightforward and on-time service on every job. Contact them today to schedule furnace maintenance ahead of the spooky season.
