It would be great for homeowners if there were an HVAC system that could self-diagnose when it was having a problem, and then even fix itself, right? While the former may be possible in the somewhat near future, we don’t think the latter will ever be a reality. And unfortunately, when there is a problem with your furnace, you’ll want to take care of it right away or else it could turn into a total system breakdown.
But how do you know when your furnace is struggling to operate?
Well, one of the leading signs that you have a furnace issue on your hands is strange noises coming from the system. What strange noises? Read on as we uncover 4 of them.
“Screech”
Have you discovered a loud screeching sound coming out of your furnace? The most likely culprit is a blower motor issue. When the blower motor doesn’t work right, the blower fan won’t work, which means that the heat being generated by your furnace will have no way to actually make it through the ductwork and into your home.
In most cases, a screeching sound means there is friction and that your blower motor needs lubrication. This is a natural part of wear and tear and nothing to panic about. However, it is a problem that should be managed right away so that your heater can get back to functioning as it should. Remember, to properly diagnose the issue, it’s important to contact a trained and experienced HVAC contractor.
“Clank”
Sometimes we get calls from homeowners complaining about a sound that resembles metal-on-metal. If you’re one of the homeowners hearing this noise, you probably are hearing metal-on-metal. What’s likely occurring is that your furnace’s blower wheel or another component has become loose and it is causing the fan to knock into other parts of the system.
As you can imagine, this will have a domino effect, causing a number of problems for your heater. It’s best that you call us right away if you do detect this noise.
“Boom”
Also described as a “bang,” this sound is almost always the sign of a dirty burner. While a dirty component might seem like a relatively minor problem in the grand scheme of things, it can turn into something dangerous.
The sound you hear is likely due to a delay in ignition due to dirt and grime buildup. What happens is that the gas collects beneath the dirt and grime, and then when it burns through it does so in a sudden burst, resulting in the booming noise you hear.
No, this doesn’t mean your furnace is going to explode, but it can certainly lead to other problems. The thing is, every time this boom occurs, it rattles your furnace. This can cause damage to other components in your system, like the heat exchanger. When a heat exchanger gets damaged, it can lead to carbon monoxide exposure in your home, which leads to serious illness and even fatalities in severe cases.
“Rattle”
A slight rattle is relatively normal—it’s typically the sound of your furnace’s ductwork adjusting and shifting a bit with the change in temperature as hot air travels through. A rattle can also be the sign of a minor problem that you may be able to fix yourself, like a loose panel or a screw that needs to be tightened.
But if this is a new or sudden rattle and you can’t visually see the cause from the outside, it’s time to give our team a call to make sure it isn’t something much more serious.
For reliable furnace repair in Sylvania, OH, look no further than “Your Comfort Specialists” here at AW Heating & Cooling. Contact us today!