Why Is My Furnace Fan So Loud?
There are some noises that your furnace should never make, at least if it’s in good working order. So, if your furnace makes a noise, it’s a good idea to pay attention. This is especially true if it’s generating an unusual sound you’ve never heard before.
Strange noises from furnaces indicate that something in the heating and cooling system is worn out or faulty. Humming, clicking, hammering, or rattling sounds are examples of odd noises. Let’s take a closer look at what noises your furnace is making.
1. Making Loud Banging Sounds
If your furnace begins to make banging noises, it’s time to call a heating and cooling professional to figure out what’s wrong. Depending on when and for how long the noise occurs, it could indicate a variety of issues with your furnace. If the banging noise occurs when you switch on the heat, it’s possible that the furnace will not ignite properly. This could be due to a variety of factors. It could be due to a lack of gas or too much air mixing with the gas. It could also be a dirty burner or a malfunctioning pilot light. A professional will be able to tell if one of these is the problem.
If you hear a pounding noise while your furnace is running, it’s possible that the ductwork connected to your furnace is expanding or contracting. If this is the case, the banging sounds will most likely come from somewhere in your house rather than from the furnace itself.
It’s not necessary to be concerned about occasional banging noises caused by regular ductwork expansion and contraction. However, if the noises are strong or occur frequently, it’s time to investigate. Blocked ducts, clogged air filters, and ductwork that is too narrow for the home’s HVAC system are all common causes of this problem.
The most efficient option to get the heating problem handled accurately and completely is to hire a professional to determine the cause of furnace banging noises.
2. Clicking Noises from the Furnace
It’s possible that an issue with your furnace’s igniter is causing the clicking noises. When a furnace can’t start, it creates a clicking sound as it tries to light up again and again, similar to a car with a broken starter.
This is sometimes a straightforward issue to resolve. The burners could be filthy and only require a thorough cleaning. It’s possible that the pilot light has gone out and has to be re-lit. Even if relighting the pilot is simple, whatever caused it to go out must be rectified. This can happen if there is a draft in the region where the furnace is installed. An HVAC expert is the best person to figure out what’s wrong and how to fix it.
Clicking sounds can also be caused by issues with the heat exchanger in the furnace. Because cracks in the heat exchanger can lead to a carbon monoxide leak in the home, this is a potentially catastrophic issue. A specialist can identify if the clicking sounds are coming from the heat exchanger.
In cases of more significant or more intricate reasons for clicking noises originating from your furnace, a specialist is the one to call. Gas flow issues can be caused by a faulty ignition board or valve, as well as a malfunctioning flame sensor. Clicking noises might also be caused by loose bearings in the furnace’s fan motor. Any of these are signs of a heating issue that should be diagnosed and fixed by a professional.
3. Humming or Buzzing Noises from the Furnace
While your furnace is running, it will create a gentle, continuous buzzing sound. A strong humming or buzzing noise coming from the furnace, on the other hand, could indicate an electrical problem. It’s possible that the inducer motor needs to be replaced or that the blower motor needs to be lubricated. This type of furnace noise is also caused by faulty transformers and blower motor capacitors.
A heating and cooling specialist should be consulted as soon as possible if a furnace is causing electrical problems. If they aren’t addressed, they can be harmful.
4. Whistling, screeching, or squealing noises from the furnace
It could be an issue with one of the blower components if your furnace is whistling, squealing, or creating a high-pitched screeching sound. It could also be due to a problem with the airflow in the system. It’s a good idea to turn off the furnace immediately if the noise is loud and unexpected. Any failing pieces will be less likely to entirely break and cause major problems this way.
When bearings in blower motors wear down, they begin to make high-pitched screeching noises. If the blower motor is merely old, a specialist will most likely need to replace it. If it’s malfunctioning due to overheating, the source of the overheating must be identified and corrected.
Other parts of the blower can also fail, resulting in loud noises. The blower wheel can occasionally break, resulting in a loud, metal-on-metal screeching sound. This is a rare occurrence, but it does occur. Fortunately, a specialist can handle it rather quickly and easily.
Whistling noises from your furnace could indicate an issue with the system’s airflow. Airflow issues can be caused by dirty air filters. Filters or ducts that are unclean or clogged might also cause problems. Changing your air filters is a simple task that most homeowners can complete on their own. This is a routine HVAC maintenance procedure that should be performed at least once every three months, if not more frequently. If replacing your air filter doesn’t stop the whistling, you should get help from a professional who can figure out what’s wrong and fix it.
5. Rattling Noises from the Furnace
If tightening screws and panels doesn’t stop the rattling, it’s time to turn off your furnace and hire a professional to look into it. More significant issues, such as cracks in the heat exchanger of the furnace, might generate rattling sounds. It’s a significant concern when the heat exchanger develops cracks over time. Carbon monoxide can be released into the residence through these cracks. This is a gas furnace repair that should be done by a heating and conditioning professional as soon as feasible.
Some Furnace Noises Are To Be Expected
When your furnace begins to make weird or loud noises that it has never made before, it is a good idea to seek professional assistance. It’s also a good idea to stay calm. Even if you’ve never noticed them before, some furnace noises are entirely normal.
When a furnace first starts up, for example, it makes a distinct sound. They also make a faint humming sound the entire time they’re running. A furnace’s ductwork expands and contracts owing to temperature changes, so it’s not uncommon for it to create an occasional banging sound.
The item to keep an eye out for is if the furnace begins to make a noise that is more frequent or louder than previously. Sudden noises can also be an indicator of a problem. A qualified specialist can decide whether the noise is normal or indicates a problem that needs to be addressed.
Professional furnace maintenance check-ups are the best method to maintain your heating and cooling system in top shape. A professional will be able to keep your system clean and functional. They can also detect problems before they become serious, which helps to avoid more expensive and time-consuming repairs in the future.
Your Furnace Can Be Inspected and Repaired by Comfort Aire Inc.
Rather than attempting to diagnose and repair the problem yourself, our highly-trained personnel can inspect the situation. We are the number one furnace repair company and our skilled technicians can repair your furnace with no problems. We’re ready for emergency services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We also do preventative HVAC maintenance.
Let us put your mind at ease about strange noises coming from your furnace. Call (219) 306-2348 for more on furnace noises and stopping them.
