Does your furnace keep you awake at night in Severna Park? If so, you could be in need of an HVAC service in MD. There are several potential causes of a noisy furnace, and none of them involve DIY fixes. It’s important to call for help as soon as you notice strange sounds coming from your furnace and to understand what could be going on.
Reasons for a Loud Furnace
Without looking at your furnace, it’s impossible to say why it’s noisy. Your furnace could be loud for any number of reasons, and there’s no simple way to determine the issue. However, you might be able to diagnose the problem by learning more about the causes of a loud furnace. Here are a few common reasons for a noisy furnace:
Blower Motor Problem
The blower motor pushes warm air from the furnace and into your home. If the blower motor isn’t working well, it might make screeching and rattling sounds. The noises can be very unsettling and loud.
One common reason for blower motor issues is a lack of lubrication. If you don’t receive regular heater maintenance, your heater probably doesn’t have enough lubrication to function smoothly. The friction causes noises and eventually will lead to the fan not working at all. The longer you wait to address the issue, the more costly the repair.
When you call an expert for help, they will lubricate the motor. This involves physically removing the motor, which is something only a professional should do. If you attempt to do this on your own, you risk damaging the motor and needing a complete replacement.
Damaged Blower Belt
Not all furnaces have blower belts. But if your furnace has a blower belt, it could fray or loosen over time. When this occurs, the belt makes a squealing noise. While there are other causes of a squealing sound, this is the most likely culprit.
Once again, routine maintenance can prevent this from being a problem. Once or twice a year, a technician can check the belt for wear and tear and tighten it if necessary. They also lubricate all the components, which prevents damage.
Even with HVAC preventative maintenance, you may be in need of a new blower belt. A professional can find the right replacement part and change it out for the old belt.
Blower Wheel
If you notice a loud scraping or clanking sound coming from your furnace, you could have an issue with the blower wheel. The vibrations of the system can loosen the blower fan, which then results in the fan hitting the casing.
Out of all the sounds you can hear from your furnace, this is one of the most alarming. You should turn off your system as soon as you hear the noise, and immediately call for help. To avoid your furnace coming back on, make sure the system has no power to it. If your system runs again, the fan could completely break down and need to be replaced.
Dirty Burners
When a furnace has dirty burners, the system can’t work the way it should. The dirty burners could result in a banging or booming noise when you turn the system on. Typically, the sound is a result of the delayed ignition. Because the burners have dirt on them, they take longer to light.
The booming or banging that you hear is actually a minor explosion. As you might expect, this isn’t an ideal situation. You should hire a professional to clean the burners or receive routine maintenance to prevent dirt from accumulating on the burners.
Imbalanced Air-Fuel Ratio
Another possible issue is an imbalanced air to fuel ratio. Similar to the sound caused by dirty blowers, an imbalanced fuel ration results in a loud boom. The mixture of air and gas is incorrect, and this makes an explosion.
Working with gas is something only an experienced professional should be doing. If you don’t call an expert, you could be in danger.
Ducts Expanding
During temperature changes, metal expands and contracts. If you hear a thud or a boom when you use your furnace, the metal could be to blame. Fortunately, this isn’t anything to worry about. You don’t need a repair, but you can discuss the situation with an expert. If the noise bothers you, a professional can seal your ducts or replace them.
Faulty Heat Exchanger
Over time, the panels or screws in your heater can loosen. This causes components to rattle. If you want to try to fix this on your own, you can shut off the power to the system and tighten the panel. All you need is a screwdriver for this quick fix.
If that doesn’t work or you don’t feel comfortable screwing in the panel, call an HVAC technician. There could be a leak or crack in your heat exchanger, and that’s nothing to ignore. Cracked heat exchangers tend to occur when there is limited airflow in the system. Therefore, you may be able to prevent this issue by cleaning your filters, coils, and blowers.
If you have a faulty heat exchanger, you could have carbon monoxide inside your home. There are serious risks associated with that. Call for an emergency repair to avoid the extreme danger of carbon monoxide exposure.
Need an HVAC Service in MD?
If you hear strange or scary sounds in your home, you should look closely at your furnace. It could be to blame for the noise. With a quick repair, you may be able to get your furnace back in order and prevent future complications. Don’t make the mistake of ignoring your furnace.
Here at Bayside Heating and Cooling, we can inspect your system and determine the source of the sounds. Whether you need a minor repair or a major one, we can help. We also can provide routine maintenance to prevent many of the issues that cause loud furnace noises. Our team goes through a lengthy checklist to make sure your system works the way it should. If you’re ready for HVAC service in MD that you can trust, call us today.
