3 Furnace Noises That Should Alarm You

Furnaces make noise, but most times people don’t notice them. However, there are instances when certain furnace noises signal larger issues. How do homeowners in Fairfax, Virginia, know when to schedule a service repair on their furnace? Pay attention to these three furnace noises that should alarm you:

Scraping

When your furnace is running and you hear scraping noises, this could signal that there’s a loose piece or serious issue regarding your blower wheel. If the blower wheel comes loose and hits the blower house casing, the furnace won’t properly heat your home. If the piece holding the motor and blower assembly breaks, the entire assembly might have dropped and hit the housing.

Clicking

A clicking noise typically signals a faulty flame sensor or issue between the gas and ignition. It could mean there’s a broken, jammed or clogged valve that fails to let out gas. When this occurs, the igniter clicks endlessly.

Another reason for clicking is a dirty or faulty flame sensor, which won’t send the signal to the igniter to click. If the noise comes from the ducts, it might mean there’s a duct seam loose so that two pieces of metal click together when air passes through. Or it might mean that there’s something stuck in the ductwork. No matter the case, you should have a professional take a closer look.

Loud Pops

If your furnace emits loud pops, it could signal that your furnace burners are dirty. Dirt collects on the burners and causes a delay in the ignition, which causes the gas to build up. Once the burners finally ignite, you hear a loud pop. These small explosions can crack your heat exchanger and damage your furnace.

Another reason for the loud pop is the expansion and contraction of metal air ducts. If you hear the noise when the furnace turns on and off, you might have an issue with your ducts. Common issues include flimsy, undersized, and closed vents or a clogged air filter.

Don’t wait until your furnace starts making strange noises to have a service technician check your unit. Contact Brennan’s Heating & Air Conditioning to schedule an appointment today.

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