Most heaters produce a gentle humming sound, especially when first turned on. However, certain noises aren’t normal, and they aren’t easy on your eardrums. If you notice your furnace making a loud noise, reach out to HVAC professionals for heater maintenance or repairs right away. Noisy scraping, banging and whistling could be your furnace’s cry for help.
Sounds to Listen For
These are some of the most common, irritating furnace sounds and their underlying issues, all of which can be easily resolved by Air Tech of Houston AC & Plumbing’s experienced team.
Humming
A low humming is completely normal, particularly when you activate your furnace for the first time in months. However, if the humming becomes unusually loud, it may signal a serious issue. Namely, you might be dealing with a weakened blower motor or fan.
A lack of lubrication or a buildup of debris can slow your furnace’s blower motor, leading to an annoying, persistent hum. Alternatively, this sound could indicate your capacitor has failed. In that case, you’ll need a technician to get the part replaced
Scraping
An unpleasant scraping sound also relates to your blower motor. More specifically, a loose blower wheel is likely grating against your system’s surrounding parts. A trained technician can quickly tighten the wheel or, in more extreme cases, replace the wheel entirely.
Clicking
If it sounds like your heater is trying to spark an empty lighter, there’s a problem with its ignition system. A jammed valve has probably failed to release gas, meaning your ignitor can’t function properly, leading to endless clicking.
High-Pitched Squeal
Yet again, blower motor damage is the most likely explanation. Your motor’s belt or bearings are probably worn down, either from an overheating issue or old age. Regardless, you’ll need to call a technician for a potential part replacement.
Whistling
Just like our mouths whistle when we purse our lips, your heater whistles when its airflow gets restricted. A clogged air filter or dirty vent is probably preventing proper air circulation.
Regular furnace maintenance can prevent this type of debris buildup and, by extension, prevent unwanted whistling.
Rattling
It’s hard to attribute a rattling sound to a single cause. Any metal part of your heating system may have come loose, leaving the part to rattle around. Alternatively, a cracked heat exchanger — the most common cause of carbon monoxide leaks — might be the culprit.
For this reason, a rattling sound merits more urgent attention.
Banging
Although loud bangs might seem the scariest, these sounds can be harmless, especially if they occur shortly after turning on the heater. Your air ducts may simply be expanding or contracting due to the temperate change.
However, if the banging persists, seek out professional help, as it may indicate an ignition issue.
Contact The Experts
If you suspect your heater suffers from any of these problems, find a trustworthy company for Houston furnace repair and maintenance. Having a dedicated team for tune-ups can even prevent these problems entirely, as frequent check-ins limit heater damage.
Air Tech of Houston AC & Plumbing offers quality, efficient HVAC services, backed by a 100% customer satisfaction guarantee. We can identify the source of any concerning furnace sounds, then get your heater running smoothly (and silently) as quickly as possible!
