Furnace making weird or odd noises? Have you observed that your unit is blowing freezing cold air when you’re anticipating a comfortable blast of warm air? If so, it could be an indication that your HVAC equipment is about to fail amid this cold winter season and you might need furnace repair. Here are some common warnings that you shouldn’t discount when it comes to your furnace:
Loud Bang When Furnace Starts
If there is a loud pop when your furnace kicks on, there are a few things that could be occurring.
Expanding and contracting air ducts can generate loud bangs after the heating system blower starts up. This is a common disturbance for homeowners with metal ducts. If your furnace is making the loud boom and it is produced by your air ducts, it could be an indicator of undersized ducts, obstructed vents, or a clogged air filter.
Other regular culprits are a contaminated furnace burner or ignitor. A dirty furnace burner or ignitor could hold up the burners from igniting, causing gas to build up. When the gas finally does ignite, it will create the loud bang you hear. This could result in a safety issue, especially if one of these small explosions caused the heat exchanger to crack. Not only could that result in a carbon monoxide leak, but you would end up having to replace the heat exchanger, which could be very pricey.
Scraping Like Sound
If you hear a loud scraping sound that sounds like metal on metal, there is probably something going on with the blower wheel. If you hear a sound like this, turn off your furnace right away and call Comfort Solutions to investigate the furnace. There are numerous things that could be wrong with the blower wheel. First, it might just be loose and if the piece is not too damaged, can be tightened. Second, it might be that the blower wheel is broken and will need replacement. Or third, it might be that the motor mount is what broke, causing the complete blower assembly to shake uncontrollably.
A Whining Noise
If you hear a high-pitched noise, it could be the shaft bearings are in need of oil, there is an issue with the blower belt, or the blower motor is not functioning properly. Seasonal furnace maintenance will help find these issues before they become big problems.
Cold Air Blowing From Heating System
There might be a few reasons why your heating equipment could be putting off cold air. It might sound simple, but the thermostat should be the first thing you want to check out. It’s the starting place for any furnace technician, also. Confirm the system is set to “auto” and not “on.” If the thermostat is set to “on,” your heating system will blow continuously, even when it isn’t heating the air being released, thus blasting cold air. Flipping it to “auto” will assure the heating equipment only blows when it’s really heating the air.
Your ductwork could also be to blame if it has leaks, connection troubles, or was designed incorrectly, which could permit warm air from the heating equipment to leak out. This would not only cause your heating equipment to blow cold air, but it could also dramatically run up your energy bills since your equipment is heating non-living space, and will have to work more to keep your home warm.
You should also check your air filters. Typically air filters need to be changed every few months to keep them from becoming dirty and clogged. If they aren’t swapped out often enough, the clogged air filter may restrict airflow into your furnace. If this happens, it can overheat your system, causing the system to stop heating as a safeguard.
There are more reasons that your heating system could create cold air including normal system wear and tear, among others. Especially if you’ve neglected annual furnace maintenance.
If your heating system is exhibiting any of these warning signs, call or text Comfort Solutions at 971.204.6867 or schedule an appointment online and we’ll send a technician to diagnose your issue and get your home warm and comfortable again in no time.
