It would be great if someday an HVAC system was invented that made no noise at all. We can’t promise that will ever happen, though I’m sure they’ll get pretty close.
The fact is, you’re going to hear your furnace making noise as it operates. You’ll hear the air ducts fluctuating as temperatures change, and you’ll hear your furnace cycling on and shutting off, plus the whoosh of air coming through your vents.
Of course, there are some noises you don’t want to hear. Honestly, anything that’s outside of what you normally hear on a day to day basis should be cause for alarm. Below are 4 noises, in particular, that you absolutely don’t want your furnace making. If you hear any of them, please be sure to give us a call right away.
1. Clanking
Do you hear a clanking noise—something resembling metal-on-metal? Then you probably are hearing metal-on-metal, in the form of an issue with the furnace’s blower wheel. If this is the case, then you need to turn your furnace off and contact a trained professional right away to prevent further damage to the wheel. More damage to the wheel means more damage to your wallet.
2. Screeching
Do you detect a screeching sound coming from anywhere within your furnace? This is likely a sign that the blower motor isn’t working as it should be. A failing blower motor means that the heat being generated by your furnace won’t even be able to circulate warm air around your home in a successful matter.
This might just mean that your blower motor needs lubrication, which is something our technicians can and do handle. It may also mean that your fan has stopped altogether. To properly diagnose the situation, it’s important that a trained and experienced HVAC technician visits your home. Once the problem is diagnosed, they can advise you on next steps.
3. Rattling
This may seem like a minor noise, and honestly, it might have a minor cause, such as a loose panel that just needs to be tightened on the system’s cabinet. But please don’t make this assumption and neglect to call us.
There is a rare but very real possibility that a cracked or broken heat exchanger is causing this noise—cracked heat exchangers allow for carbon monoxide gas to be leaked into your living space—leading to illness or even worse.
4. Booming or Banging
If you hear something that resembles booming or banging, you’re probably hearing the result of dirty burners. This may seem like a really benign problem, but it can be indicative of something pretty dangerous. The noise you’re detecting here is caused by a delay in ignition due to dirt and grime buildup. The gas builds up as a result, and when it ignites, a small explosion occurs inside the heating system.
The actual “explosion” we are referring to isn’t even the worst part. The issue here is that the more it happens, the more likely it is that your heat exchanger will accumulate damage. A cracked or damaged heat exchanger leaks that carbon monoxide gas we mentioned above into your home. So, if you hear a booming or banging when your furnace starts up, please turn off your furnace right away and give our team a call.
For expert service on your heating in Rio Rancho, NM, reach out to Roadrunner Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration!
