3 Common Causes of Heater Noises
Some people would argue that the biggest challenge of owning a home is determining if the noise they heard downstairs is really worth all of the steps they have to travel down just to check it out. When a weird sound happens once in a while, it’s usually nothing. It could be the furnace kicking on or maybe it’s a bird flying into the glass window.
However, when those noises start to become louder or occur more frequently, it’s worth checking out because it could be a problem with the heater. Many people will notice loud and unusual noises coming from the heater, and these sounds shouldn’t be ignored. Though there are many reasons for this, here are a few of the most common causes of loud heater noises.
Banging Noises from the Furnace Room
If there’s a loud bang, or series of banging noises, coming from the furnace room, it may be a burner explosion. Simply reading the word “explosion” may cause a small panic, but it’s actually a common problem that many homeowners experience.
When the gas isn’t ignited immediately, the gas starts to build up in the furnace until it finally reaches a flame and ignites. This causes a loud BOOM. There can be several reasons for a delayed ignition. Too much air makes the gas-air mixture difficult to light, resulting in a build-up of gas.
Too little gas at the burners results in a similar situation. Or it could be that the pilot light is dirty or weak. It’s difficult to tell what the cause is, so it’s best to consult a professional to resolve the issue.
Startling Squealing Sounds
When the heater starts to make squealing sounds, that’s also a sign that something may be broken or worn down. In most cases, squealing sounds are a result of not maintaining the heater/ furnace. The inducer motor or bearings of the blower motor may be worn down, in which case they need to be replaced.
Though furnaces last, on average, between 15-20 years, the pieces of the furnace often need additional maintenance. Unfortunately, when they aren’t maintained, they like to send homeowners a small “verbal” reminder.
Unusual Scraping Sounds
For many people, scraping sounds are the most ear-clenching sounds. It’s like fingernails on a chalkboard, and it’s a hard sound to ignore. So if there’s a scraping sound coming from the furnace, and there aren’t any kids playing with a chalkboard nearby, it’s safe to assume that there’s some sort of problem with the heater. More than likely, an unusual scraping sound is resulting from blower wheel problems.
The blower wheels on a heater can come loose or become misaligned, so they start to hit the blower housing. This “metal hitting metal” is what causes that cringe-worthy scraping sound. If the blower wheel is not fixed, it can damage itself or the blower housing. Of course, it’s best to resolve this issue by tightening or re-aligning the blower wheel before it starts to cause more damage to the heater.
About Sharp-Long 72 Degrees Air Conditioning and Heating
Sharp-Long 72 Degrees Air Conditioning and Heating, based in Lees Summit, MO, focuses on providing the most cost-efficient services to their customers. Their services are carried out by highly trained professionals using safe, proven methods. Whether it’s AC repair, AC install, furnace repair, or heating repair, they can cover it all while offering a 100% money-back guarantee.