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Why Is My Furnace Making Loud Noises?

From normal operating sounds to warning signs that something’s amiss, listening to your furnace can reveal how well it’s running. At Reliable Comfort, we are here to help you troubleshoot common furnace noises and fix problems when they arise. Not getting reliable heat, or still concerned about sounds coming from your heating system? Call us anytime for 24/7 emergency service.

Woman listening to unusual sounds coming from furnace

Whistling in Furnaces

Does it ever sound like someone’s heating up a teapot in your furnace room? That high-pitched sound you’re hearing could be air leaking somewhere in your ductwork. Issues with the blower motor or low airflow can also lead to whistling noises. Besides the annoyance, any of these problems could be causing your system to work harder to deliver air throughout your home, and should be detected and repaired by your trusted HVAC technician from Reliable Comfort.

Popping or Knocking

When you turn your system on or off, you might occasionally notice popping or knocking sounds coming from your ductwork. This is called “oil canning,” and it’s a normal sound that comes from the pressure change due to air temperature changes. However, loud popping or cracking sounds coming from your furnace upon startup can be due to sediment combusting on dirty gas burners, which can damage your heat exchanger.

Humming Sounds

Does your furnace always hum when it’s working? This can be a normal operating sound, particularly if it’s an older unit. However, humming can also be due to problems with the fan or blower motor. If you have a newer unit that’s humming, it may be time to call to have it checked.

Clicking or Ticking

You might hear your furnace’s ignitor ticking for a few seconds when it turns on. This can be normal if it only lasts for a moment. However, continuous clicking may mean your ignitor is struggling to fire up. Repeated ticking sounds can mean you have an ignitor, compressor, or control panel concern. Pay attention to how long the sound lasts and if it’s more than a few moments, call for service as soon as possible.

Scraping Noises

Do you notice scraping or grinding sounds coming from your furnace? It’s not normal to hear friction between moving parts. These sounds may be due to dry bearings, which will cause the blower motor to burn out. Fortunately, this simple to fix during a maintenance appointment with a little lubricant. A loose blower wheel can also cause a scraping noise, and that will need to be adjusted by an HVAC technician. Blower wheels become loose as the system runs year after year, which is why annual maintenance is so helpful for preventing issues before they affect the performance of your system.

Depend On Reliable Comfort for Furnace Maintenance

A noisy furnace can make it hard to enjoy your home, but you can prevent this problem by investing in yearly furnace maintenance. As a family-owned, local business, Reliable Comfort is here to put your needs first. We have a team of certified HVAC professionals who can inspect and tune up your furnace to prevent many of these issues. From lubricating the bearings to cleaning the burners, your technician will ensure your system is operating in top condition. We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee with any service, including maintenance. We also offer specials and coupons to help you save money on maintenance, repairs, and more.

Contact the pros at Reliable Comfort today to schedule furnace maintenance or repair.

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