Should My Furnace Be Making This Noise?

It’s normal for every furnace to make at least some noise while running. You may hear a click or a pop when the furnace first starts up and the sound of the blower blowing warm air through your ductwork. However, there are several other sounds that can signal a problem with your home’s heating equipment.

As you get reacquainted with your furnace this fall, keep an ear out for the following noises that mean trouble.

1. A Boom, Bang, or Loud Pop

If your furnace makes this noise when starting up, then there’s a problem with the ignition. Something is allowing gas to build up in your furnace’s combustion chamber before the gas finally lights. When the gas does ignite, it’s creating a small explosion that could potentially damage your furnace’s heat exchanger.

2. A Clanking or Scraping Metal-On-Metal Sound

This noise typically means there’s a critical problem with the blower wheel. In some cases, the blower fan can loosen over time and start hitting the casing that protects it. However, the problem may also be a broken blower fan or a broken component connected to the blower fan or motor.

3. Squealing or Whining

In some cases, this high-pitched sound simply means that a shaft bearing needs some lubrication. If a bearing isn’t the problem, then the noise is most likely due to a loose or misaligned blower belt or a faulty blower motor.

4. Thumping or Clunking Sounds

This dull noise typically means that you’ve got an unbalanced blower motor or blower wheel. It’s important that these components are securely in place for your system to avoid major problems, so don’t wait to schedule a repair.

5. Loud Humming

When a furnace is humming loudly, it usually has one of two issues: a malfunctioning fan or a faulty capacitor. Your furnace needs properly functioning capacitors to get the correct amount of electricity at key times.

6. Rumbling

More often than not, rumbling means your furnace has some very dirty gas burners. A buildup of dust and soot is blocking the airflow to the burners, disrupting the combustion process. The restricted airflow is what makes that rumbling noise.

Morristown Heating Services

Whether you need furnace repair or maintenance, our Knoxville HVAC experts at Quality Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical are ready to assist you. Contact us online today or call us at (865) 622-7785.