Three Sounds Your Furnace May Make When It Needs Repairs

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Having the right heating and cooling system in a home or business can have a huge impact on the energy costs associated with HVAC systems. Units that are too large or too small are unable to properly heat or cool a building at maximum efficiency. Hello, my name is Roland, and if you're interested in learning everything you can about HVAC systems, you'll find the information you need in this blog. I belong to an environmental organization that helps homeowners and business owners learn how to reduce their energy costs. Our organization helps people save money on their energy bills, and while doing so, this also helps the planet. I've written this blog to help others learn about HVAC systems and how qualified HVAC contractors can help them save money and help the environment.

Three Sounds Your Furnace May Make When It Needs Repairs

9 April 2020
 Categories: , Blog

If your furnace is in need of repair, it will often try to tell you that something is amiss. The most common way it lets you know that something is off is through the sounds it makes. Various sounds may be indicative of specific types of problems within your furnace. Here are a few of the sounds your furnace may make if furnace repairs are needed and the reasons the unit may be making these sounds. 

A Squealing or Whining Sound

One of the noises that you may hear if your furnace is in need of repair is a squealing or whining sound. This sound is most often caused by the blower belt. If the blower belt has incurred any type of damage, including being split, cracked, frayed, snapped, or slipped, you may notice this sound. The blower belt is often referred to as a squirrel cage or hamster wheel belt because it looks like a what a hamster wheel looks like as hamsters run on it when it is in use. Now think about a hamster wheel that is cracked or spinning. As it moves, it may squeal or whine. The same thing happens with the belt in your furnace. 

A Grinding or Scraping Noise

Another common sound that you may hear if your furnace needs repairs is a grinding or scraping noise. Many parts in your furnace are made of metal, and when they wear out, they may begin to grind or scrap. The two most common reasons you may hear this sound is because you have worn out ball bearings or you have gears that have worn out and need to be replaced. 

A Banging or Clanking Noise

The final sound you may hear if you need furnace repairs is a banging or clanking noise. There are many reasons why you may hear this noise. If screws or nuts have slipped out of place, you may hear a rattling or banging noise when the unit is operating. If you have a clogged burner, you may have a banging or clanking noise as the unit attempts to fire or heat up. You may also hear banging or clanking noises if the ducts carrying the hot air from the furnace to your home are not secured properly or have shifted. 

If you notice one or more of these sounds coming from your furnace, your furnace likely needs repairs. A furnace or heating repair company can inspect your unit, determine what is causing the sound, and make the needed repairs to not only quiet your unit but ensure it functions properly. Contact a furnace repair company as soon as you hear one of these sounds to prevent further damage from occurring.