Are you trying to decide whether to repair or replace your furnace system? A significant investment like a new heating system shouldn’t be taken lightly. A furnace repair in Ft. Wayne, Indiana or any area replacement indecision requires that homeowners investigate their options to make the best possible choice.
Hiring an HVAC contractor requires trust. As a homeowner, you have to trust the expertise of the contractor you hire. After all, you’re placing your expensive home-comfort equipment — not to mention your family’s comfort and safety — into the hands of a stranger.
In the wintertime, the last thing you want is for your furnace to fail. But that’s exactly what happens to a lot of homeowners, and a majority of the time, it’s completely preventable. In many cases, these issues can be avoided if you properly maintain your furnace or have it professionally serviced at least once a year.
One of the scariest things that can happen with a malfunctioning furnace is the presence of loud and unusual noises. As a homeowner, it’s essential to understand what these strange furnace sounds are, what they mean, and how you can prevent them in the future.
If you notice any scary noises coming from your furnace, it’s best to have a professional technician inspect your unit so they can determine whether or not you should repair or replace your furnace. They can also inform you of what caused these unusual noises and how you can avoid them.
What Should a Furnace Sound Like?
When your furnace starts a heating cycle, it’s perfectly normal to hear some noise. As the furnace fires up, you might notice a subtle click, similar to the sound that is heard when you turn on a gas stove burner. Once the furnace is operational, the system settles into a gentle hum. Modern units have inserted insulation to dampen the sounds. Even in older furnaces, the noise during a heating cycle should remain non-disruptive inside your home.
Additionally, intermittent noises from your heater, particularly after a period of inactivity, are often expected. Furnaces may make a clicking sound as the system fires up, but it doesn’t indicate any underlying issues.
If your furnace adjusts its heat multiple times during a cycle, occasional noises accompany those speed changes. Understanding these normal furnace sounds helps homeowners distinguish between routine operational sounds and potential problems.
Furnace Noises and What They Mean
If you notice any loud and dangerous sounds coming from your unit, you need to have it inspected right away. Here is a list of strange noises and how they can happen inside your furnace.
1. Banging
Sudden and pronounced banging noises—resembling a gunshot—during the furnace’s activation or deactivation, are not typical and should be addressed immediately. Beyond the startling nature of these sounds, they may signify an underlying issue, such as:
- Dirty Burners
- Gas Build-Up
- Ductwork Problems
Although it may not be exactly time to replace your furnace, swift action is essential. While some situations may have straightforward resolutions, others pose more severe risks, including the potential for a carbon monoxide leak. It’s crucial to recognize these occurrences and to have a professional investigate and address the source of the furnace banging noise when turning it on or off.
2. Rumbling
If your furnace is making a loud rumbling noise when it’s in operation, it could signify a loose or damaged blower fan or a cracked heat exchanger. While these noises may seem inconsequential, they warrant immediate attention for necessary furnace repairs.
When metal components are scratching each other or the body of the unit, it could seriously damage your system’s integrity, leading to an inefficient furnace. In many cases, this problem can be avoided by annual furnace tune-ups. Don’t delay addressing these sounds, as prompt action ensures the longevity and efficient operation of your furnace.
3. Buzzing
A buzzing sound from your furnace typically suggests a loose component within the transformer. While not as urgent as addressing a potential carbon monoxide leak, this noise can be quite annoying and should be attended to promptly. Ignoring such noises can cause your furnace to work harder to compensate for any internal damage.
Consequently, this heightened workload may result in elevated energy costs. If your furnace is buzzing, ensure its efficient and quiet operation by addressing the sound promptly so that it is ready for winter.
4. Squealing
It’s important not to overlook any issues if your furnace is squealing or squeaking. Typically, these noises signal issues like a loose or damaged blower belt, a malfunctioning blower motor, or the need for additional component lubrication.
Fortunately, addressing these concerns is often more straightforward and cost-effective, sparing you the need for a replacement. A trained professional can quickly access the components in your unit and find the right solution.
5. Popping
If your furnace is making a popping noise, it could signal potential issues with various components:
- Flame Sensor
- Wiring
- Gas Valve
- Burners
- Air Ducts
Since some of these components involve gas or fire, it’s important to be careful when inspecting your unit. Having a professional technician investigate the problems can help ensure safety for you, your family, and your furnace.
When you’re concerned about strange furnace smells and noises, reach out to our team at Home Comfort Experts. We offer furnace repairs in Northern Indiana and Southwestern Michigan.
Contact us today to schedule your appointment.
Electricity- or fuel-powered furnaces are common sources of home heating in Northern Indiana and Southwest Michigan, but they are expensive to operate. On the other hand, a major energy-efficient alternative — the heat pump — loses its efficiency as temperatures fall. That’s where a dual fuel heating system comes in, offering energy efficient and reliable heating.
Maybe your furnace has been making some unusual noises or you’ve noticed higher energy costs, so you called in an HVAC expert. If the technician found that your furnace has a cracked heat exchanger, you now have a red-tagged furnace on your hands — and you need an expert’s help to decide what to do next.
Insulation and sealing are two effective ways to reduce energy loss in your HVAC system’s ductwork, the mostly out-of-sight network of tubes that delivers heated and cooled air from your HVAC equipment to your living spaces. Particularly when ducts run through unconditioned parts of your home, they can be major sources of energy waste. (more…)
Keeping your furnace in good working condition requires regular preventive maintenance and repair service. Your local HVAC sales and service contractor should offer comprehensive service plans and maintenance contracts that ensure scheduled checkups and repairs.
Air filters are your heating system’s first line of defense against system failure, and they improve indoor air quality. In fact, experts say the failure to change air filters regularly is the most common contributor to system breakdowns.
Frozen pipes are a real worry during the coldest days of winter in Northern Indiana and Southwest Michigan. At about 20 degrees or below, pipes are at risk of freezing — and if they freeze, they might also burst. A water pipe with a crack as small at one-eighth of an inch could send more than 250 gallons of water into your home in one day.
Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to reduce the possibility of frozen pipes — and the chance of a midwinter home disaster:
- Insulate. Insulate your water pipes with premade insulation designed to wrap snugly around pipes and protect them from the cold. Ask your HVAC contractor where to find this material. If you can’t find specialty pipe insulation, you can wrap your pipes with standard fiberglass roll insulation.
- Seal. Inspect your house’s foundation and outside walls, looking for cracks, gaps and holes through which cold air can get into your house and reduce temperatures near your water pipes. Pipes in unconditioned or uninsulated areas of your home, such as crawl spaces, unfinished attics or basements, outer walls or foundations, are more likely to be affected by cold air. Repair cracks with weather stripping, caulk or other sealants.
- Heat. Open cabinet doors under the kitchen and bathroom sinks to let more warm get near the pipes.
Keep your home’s thermostat set at a constant warm temperature. Reducing indoor temperatures at night or while you are away during the day increases the chance of pipes freezing.
You can also wrap your pipes with heat tape or cable. These contain heating elements that will provide additional protection against freezing. They must be plugged into a standard electrical socket, so keep access in mind and buy the correct length of tape.
Contact Home Comfort Experts today for more information on preventing frozen pipes and for the insulation, heat tapes and other supplies you need to protect your home.