Here’s the thing: your furnace is not inherently noisy—in fact, the only sound you should ever really hear coming from your system is the sound of air gently whooshing through the vents. So, of course, any strange noises are definitely a cause for concern.
Fortunately, our team is quite familiar with all the strange sounds that a furnace in distress makes, and below, we have outlined some of them. All you have to do is keep reading to find out more (oh, and of course, remember to schedule your furnace repair in Washington, DC with us!)
Keep an Ear Out For These Sounds
There are a number of sounds you really don’t want to hear coming from your furnace:
Screeching
A loud, screeching sound is a sign that the blower motor, the mechanism responsible for circulating warm air throughout your home, is not working properly. A screechy blower motor might just mean that it is in desperate need of lubrication, but it could also be an indication that the fan has stopped altogether. Either way, a professional needs to be called.
Clanking
If you hear what sounds like metal-on-metal, you might have a serious problem with your furnace’s blower wheel. If this is the case, you should turn off your furnace and contact your local HVAC expert to prevent further damage.
Bangs and Booms
In most cases, bangs and booms are symptoms of a dirty burner. Over time, burners can become clogged with dirt and build-up, which can lead to ignition problems. The sound you hear is actually a delay in ignition. The gas builds up, and when it finally ignites, a small explosion occurs inside of your furnace.
Cleaning the burner yourself is not something we would ever recommend—there is a lot of room for error, and without the proper experience, it can prove to be rather dangerous! Call a professional instead.
Rattling
Sure, the rattling your hear might just be a loose screw or panel. However, a rattle could also mean there is a potentially dangerous problem with your furnace. A broken heat exchanger could be the cause of this sound. When there is excess heat in the furnace, the heat exchanger becomes susceptible to cracks, which are very serious. A cracked heat exchanger could allow carbon monoxide into your home, which of course, is highly toxic.
Call a Professional!
If you suspect your furnace is in need of repair, do not hesitate to call a certified HVAC professional for help. Trust us, only a professional has the tools, knowledge, and expertise to safely and correctly handle the complex needs of your system, the first time around.
And yes, there may be plenty of amateurs willing to service your system for a fairly cheap price, but remember, sometimes an attempt to save money could end up costing you much more in the long run. Make sure you get in touch with us!
Schedule your furnace repairs with the team at Polar Bear Air Conditioning & Heating today. Historical Preservation with Modern Convenience.