Some of the noises that come from the electronics and appliances in your home can be easy to ignore. It’s also easy to deny anything is wrong, since fixing the issue can be a bigger nuisance than listening to it.
But there are certain noises that shouldn’t be ignored if they’re coming from your heating system. For instance, a rattle could be something benign, like a loose panel. But another possibility is that it’s a cracked heat exchanger making the sound, which is actually quite dangerous.
Here at Kool Breeze, we understand how important protecting yourself and your family is. So if you’re hearing suspicious noises from your furnace, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our techs. Below are some of the noises worth calling in about!
Screeching
A loud screeching noise is probably a sign that the blower motor in your furnace isn’t working as it should. A malfunctioning blower motor means that the heat produced by your furnace won’t be able to adequately circulate warm air around your home.
This may just mean that the blower motor is in desperate need of lubrication, but it could also suggest that the fan stopped altogether. To properly diagnose this issue, it’s important to have a well-trained HVAC professional take a look. Once a diagnosis is made, they can advise you on the best next steps.
Clanking
If you hear something resembling metal on metal, then you probably are hearing metal on metal. It’s probably something like a broken blower wheel or worn down motor bearings. If you hear this, you should turn off your furnace right away and contact a pro, to prevent further damage. More damage to your furnace means more damage to your wallet.
Banging and Booming
Usually, a bang or boom you hear coming from your furnace is a sign of a dirty burner, which can be a dangerous problem. We say this because what you’re hearing is a delay in ignition due to dirt or buildup on the burners, and when the gas builds up and ignites, it has to burn through that grime, essentially causing a small explosion to occur inside your heater.
We do not advise trying to clean the burners yourself. There is too much room for error, and you don’t need to be spending more money in the long run. It’s always safer to call in a pro, particularly when dealing with gas lines.
Rattling
Like we mentioned above, there’s a chance that the rattling you hear is nothing more than a loose panel that needs to be screwed back in. But, you should never just assume this.
A cracked heat exchanger often makes a clicking sound as it expands and contracts with the heat fluctuations. But, it can also make a rattling noise. A cracked heat exchanger means that carbon monoxide gas can make its way into your living space. This gas is tasteless and odorless, but not harmless! In severe cases, it even leads to fatalities. We don’t say this to cause panic, but rather to stress the importance of getting the problem fixed right away.
Rattling can also be due to a lack of airflow from a dirty air filter, or problems with the blower—these are less severe problems of course, but letting them go on too long can certainly lead to bigger problems.
For expert heating repair in Niceville, FL, contact Kool Breeze of Northwest Florida, Inc. today!