HVAC Hacks: Tips for Novices and New Homeowners

Reasons Your Furnace Is Making Noises

Modern furnaces are supposed to operate quietly or with minimal sounds. However, if you constantly hear screeching, rattling, or banging, this is a sign that something is wrong. Here are some reasons your furnace is making noise.

Faulty Blower Motor

If the blower motor in your fan is faulty, you will hear a whistling or high-pitched squeal. There may also be rattling and loud screeching noises. The blower drives warm air out of the furnace through the air ducts and into your home. When the blower motor's bearings overheat, you will hear loud noises.

If you notice reduced airflow in your house, the blower is straining to draw air out of the furnace. This is the reason for the whistling sound. Contact an HVAC expert to address this problem before it damages other parts of your furnace, resulting in a breakdown.

Cracked Heat Exchanger 

If your furnace produces a clicking sound, it is likely because of a cracked heat exchanger. Heat exchangers are made of metal. Over time, the heat exchanger's constant heating and cooling cause cracks in the metal.

The clicking sound is because the metal in the heat exchanger is heating the cracks. One of the dangers of cracks in heat exchangers is the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide is dangerous and shouldn't be ignored. Therefore, you should have the cracked heat exchanger fixed as soon as possible.

Temperature or Humidity Variations

Popping and banging sounds arise because of the increase and decrease of temperature and humidity levels of air in your home. These sounds originate in the HVAC ductwork. The noise begins when you start the furnace. However, as heat passes throughout the system, these noises should stop.

If the furnace itself is making that noise, the problem lies with the internal combustion unit. If not fixed, the problem can strain the internal furnace components. Over time, you will spend a lot of money on more extensive repairs.

Dirty Furnace Filter

The air filter is clogged with debris if you hear whistling or screeching sounds in your furnace. The screech you hear is air trying to force its way through. One way to address this problem is to replace the existing filters with new ones. 

Alternatively, if you don't have a spare filter, remove the old one and run the furnace without a filter until you can buy one. A clogged filter restricts airflow and can damage your heat exchanger or fan motor. Therefore, ensure you change the dirty filters as soon as possible. 

Contact a heating services provider for more information.  


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