You may not realize it, but a noisy furnace is a cause for alarm. It’s something you shouldn’t ignore, but it helps to know why it creates such a sound and why it’s that loud. To help you understand the underlying issues behind a noisy furnace, we came up with an article that talks about the different noises and the corresponding parts that are acting up, producing such sounds.
Marsh Heating and Air Conditioning is your trusted heating company in St. Louis Park MN. For over forty years, we have been helping homeowners get rid of the extreme noise in their furnaces and restore the peace and comfort in their abodes. Here are the most common loud sounds produced by a furnace and their reasons.
Popping Sounds
At the start of a heating cycle, the furnace’s blower motor distributes warm air into the air ducts in your home. If you notice a loud popping noise when your furnace starts, the ducts may be inflated. Once the warm air reaches cold air ducts, the metal will become enlarged to accommodate the shift in temperature.
Also, the source of the popping noise may be contaminated gas burners in your heating system. As the furnace in your house becomes older, sediment will start to accumulate on the burners. If the debris is not eliminated from the gas burners annually, a large amount of gas will start to collect and cause holes to form in your heat exchanger.
Rattling Sounds
Another common sound your furnace can produce is a rattling sound, which can be caused by a loose bolt in the access hatch. The hatch was possibly opened and closed recently, but the bolts were not screwed down properly. Using a wrench, you can DIY this repair job. To avoid any untoward incident, be sure to turn the furnace off before performing this task.
Also, a cracked blower motor fan belt can create a rattling sound. Such belts are similar to the ones in car engines, which connect the motor to the fan. If the belt suffers any damage, it can force a loud noise as it works. If this is the issue, the belt will need to be replaced before it becomes loose and causes further damage. It’s best to entrust this step to a qualified technician.
Banging Sounds
If your heating system is making a loud booming or banging sound, the problem may be caused by a small gas explosion that occurs when there’s an ignition delay. Gas can build up in your combustion chamber when the gas burners in your furnace do not ignite on time. If the gas burners are not igniting properly, this can mean there is a clog or a gas pressure problem. Do not attempt to fix a gas burner; it can be a fire and explosion risk. Also, disassembling the heat exchanger or burners can cause a gas leak in your house. To ensure your safety, have a furnace expert deal with the gas burner issue.
Whistling Sounds
You may think that your furnace filter is a low-maintenance part, but neglecting it can cause several issues, one of which is a whistling sound. This noise happens when the heated air struggles to pass the space left by the dirty filter. The dirt adds to the motor’s wear and tear since it works harder to blow air through the small openings left on your filters.
Another reason for your furnace to produce a whistling sound is a faulty gas supply valve. It causes the gas flowing through your system to come out at high pressure, creating a loud, whistling sound. If you smell gas in your home, it’s best to turn the furnace off right away and call a qualified technician to address the problem.
Silence Your Noisy Furnace. Call Marsh Heating and Air Conditioning
Put an end to your problem of an excessively noisy furnace. Talk to one of our NATE-certified, factory-trained furnace experts. Our guys will attend to your heating issues right away and get your unit working smoothly in no time. Rest assured that our technicians will not leave until the system is fully restored and functions according to the manufacturer’s specifications. We are your reliable Fridley furnace repair contractor.