Why Is My Furnace Making So Much Noise?
Chilly overnight temperatures will soon arrive in Atlantic Highlands, NJ! When your furnace initiates a heating cycle, it should operate quietly. Typical furnace sounds include a click when the system turns on and off and a soft humming sound from the blower as it pushes the warm air into your living spaces. If you notice loud noises every time your furnace turns on, your heating system may have a problem that requires professional attention from an Air Conditioner Repair expert and that may lead to the need of new furnace installation. Let’s take a look at some of the possible reasons why your furnace is so loud.
A clogged air filter is one of the most common furnace problems, and one of the symptoms of an obstructed furnace filter is loud noises during each heating cycle. When the filter is clogged, the air trying to pass through it may create a whistling or screeching sound. Dirty air filters obstruct airflow through the furnace, so you’ll also notice that barely a trickle of air comes out of the vents in each room. We recommend sliding the air filter out of its housing once a month and checking it for signs of buildup. Residential furnace repair technicians like Furnace Maintenance:
Friction in the Blower Motor
The blower motor requires sufficient lubrication in order to rotate effectively and quietly. Operating the furnace without enough lubricant in the blower motor could cause it to overheat, which results in significant damage to other parts of the unit. Low lubricant causes a metal-on-metal sound, which involves loud squealing, grinding, or screeching noises. During an annual furnace tune-up, technicians add oil to the blower motor to provide the necessary lubrication.
Cracked Belt
The furnace’s blower has one or more rubber belts. Heat and friction degrade the rubber, resulting in cracks. A cracked blower belt may squeal, causing a loud racket each time the furnace turns on. Call a furnace repair technician to replace damaged blower belts and restore quiet operation to your furnace.
Faulty Ignition
Loud rumbling sounds at the beginning of a heating cycle suggest a problem with your furnace’s ignition or burner which will lead you to call the furnace repair guy. The rumbling noise comes from the buildup of natural gas and the furnace’s effort to ignite it. A faulty ignition is a critical safety risk, and any rumbling noises require immediate professional attention.
Blower Wheel Out of Alignment
The furnace’s blower wheel moves heated air. If you hear screeching or squealing sounds, the blower wheel may be out of alignment. Alignment issues most often occur when debris gets in the way. Soot, ash, or dust may build up on the wheel, causing it to shift slightly. The blower wheel may also move out of proper alignment after many years of use or a few skipped maintenance visits. During a heating tune up, technicians check the blower wheel’s alignment and make professional adjustments to ensure proper positioning.
Damaged Heat Exchanger
Cracks or other damage in your furnace’s heat exchanger may cause unusual loud sounds during a heating cycle. Debris builds up on the heat exchanger, reducing airflow through the combustion chamber. The reduction of airflow causes the combustion chamber to get too hot. This extreme heat leads to the cracking of the heat exchanger. The best ways to avoid heat exchanger damage include replacing the furnace filter every two to three months and scheduling an annual professional furnace tune-up with a heating service provider.
Debris on Burners
If you notice a popping sound a few seconds after your furnace clicks on, this could be due to debris on the burners igniting and burning. Dirty burners delay the ignition of the gas, causing a buildup of natural gas in the combustion chamber. This is a dangerous situation, and we recommend an annual furnace maintenance visit for debris removal and thorough cleaning of the combustion chamber.
Electrical Issue
Even gas furnaces require some electricity. An issue with the furnace’s capacitor or wiring may cause a loud humming sound at the start of a heating cycle.
