Here’s a scenario you never want to put up with in the middle of winter: You wake up to a chilly morning and turn up the thermostat to make your home a little cozier. Everything seems fine until a minute later, you hear a strange noise coming from the closet where your furnace resides. Heat still seems to be coming out of your air vents, so is it really necessary to schedule a furnace repair? As the premier heating and cooling company for Virginia Beach, Norfolk, and the whole Hampton Roads area we wanted to share some of our insights into what all those noises might be! :)
Just like with your car, a loud noise coming from your furnace is rarely a good sign. Here is a look at the most common sounds furnaces make when they malfunction — and what one of these sounds might mean for your heating system.
Whatever you call it, a loud banging sound usually means it’s time for a heating repair. These sounds may be caused by an unbalanced blower wheel, an unbalanced blower motor, or sheet metal siding that is bending inward. The issue could also be a gas buildup or problems with your ductwork.
Squealing or screeching is often a sign that it’s time to lubricate the moving parts inside your furnace. These sounds could also point to a loose fan belt. Though these are less serious heating issues, it’s a good idea to call a professional if you are unsure of the problem or don’t feel comfortable handling the fix yourself.
To prevent these sounds in the future, be sure to schedule regular furnace maintenance, which includes lubrication of moving parts to keep your heating unit running at peak performance..
Does the noise sound more like scraping or metal hitting metal? You could have a loose blower wheel hitting the blower housing, which can eventually lead to damage to both the blower wheel and the housing. Alternatively, you might have a broken blower wheel or broken motor mount on your hands.
This could indicate that there is a problem with your burner, or your furnace may simply need a routine tune-up. An HVAC professional can diagnose the issue to get your furnace operating smoothly again.
When in doubt, if you hear a loud sound coming from your furnace, it’s best to turn off the power and gas supply and schedule a furnace repair as soon as possible. Continuing to run a malfunctioning furnace could lead to severe damage and a costlier repair.
If you’re located in the greater Chesapeake, VA area, we’re here to help you diagnose your furnace troubles. With our Service Today or It’s Free guarantee, we promise we’ll be there to service your heating unit the same day you request service — or your we will waive the service fee!