Your furnace allows you to stay comfortable and active indoors despite the cold outside temperature. When it’s running, you should hear some sound produced by the system—and that’s okay. However, if the sound becomes too loud, you might want to know what it means and deal with it ASAP.
Marsh Heating and Air Conditioning is your total heating company in Elk River MN. We help homeowners keep their furnaces in great shape, making sure they enjoy comfortable, peaceful days and nights. This article will give you some insights as to why your furnace produces excessive sounds and their possible causes.
A Whistling Sound
One of the most common furnace noises is a whistling sound, which can be subtle but can also get pretty loud and annoying, depending on what type of furnace you have and what’s going on with it.
A whistling sound can mean there is a problem with the blower. If you notice that the sound doesn’t come from the vent or duct but from the furnace itself, this could mean that there is an issue with the airflow or a mechanical problem with the blower. As the furnace delivers warm air throughout your home, the air passes through a filter into the air ducts and out of your registers. If the filter is dirty, it can compromise the airflow and cause a loud whistling sound as the air forces its way through the filter. Replacing the filter should help eliminate the problem.
Another reason why your furnace produces a loud whistling sound is a gas flow issue, i.e. a damaged or faulty gas valve. If the problem has to do with the gas valve or the blower, it’s best to leave it to a professional for your and your family’s safety.
A Rattling Sound
One of the most common reasons a furnace produces a rattling sound is a loose bolt in the access hatch. The hatch was probably opened and closed recently, but the bolts were not screwed down tight enough. With the help of a wrench, you can easily fix this yourself — but for your safety, be sure to turn the furnace off before doing so.
A rattling sound can also be caused by a cracked blower motor fan belt. Such belts are similar to the ones in car engines, connecting the motor to the fan. If the belt suffers any damage, it can make a rattling noise as it works. If this is the case, the belt will need to be replaced before it becomes loose and causes more damage. This step requires the expertise of a qualified technician.
Your furnace can produce a rattling sound and it can be due to a dirty burner. Since burners are connected to the gas line, it’s best to have a professional do this task for you.
A Buzzing Sound
When your furnace makes a loud, buzzing, or humming noise, it could be caused by several problems, including those that are mechanical and electrical. The main issue would have to do with the blower fan motor, especially if the loud sounds happen during startup. The fan motor is likely defective or the electrical components powering the fan may be faulty.
It’s quite easy to identify if the problem is brought about by malfunctioning electrical components. The buzzing sound will be loudest at startup and usually get quieter or stop once the fan runs at full speed. However, a blower fan issue will not cause the sounds to get any quieter even when the unit has been running for hours.
To get rid of this loud sound, have a qualified technician diagnose and replace faulty parts and restore the proper operation of your furnace.
A Rattling Noise
This sound is probably one of the most serious ones, especially if it comes from a cracked heat exchanger. When the furnace does not receive regular maintenance, chances are, the airflow becomes restricted to the point where it overheats, causing the heat exchanger to crack. You can’t afford to ignore this problem as it can leak carbon monoxide, a very hazardous gas. Call a service technician as soon as possible.
Ask Marsh Heating and Air Conditioning
To keep your heating system working efficiently and quietly, have one of our teams of Ramsey furnace repair specialists deal with the problem. We’ll make sure the loud noises are gone and the unit works according to the manufacturer’s specifications.