We’ve written on this topic before, but it’s definitely one of those that deserves a refresher, especially around wintertime and especially for anyone who hasn’t used a furnace before (perhaps you’ve been utilizing space heaters or a boiler system).
But we really cannot overstate how important it is that you know the signs of a furnace in disrepair. When you have yours professionally installed and maintained by our experienced team, you’ll definitely have less to worry about on this front. Still though, it’s a good idea to know these signs. This means you will know to call us sooner, and we can help you avoid harmful problems with your heater.
We are here to protect your family and your home! Give us a call if you hear any of the following suspicious noises, and please don’t ever hesitate to come to us with your questions or concerns. We are here to help and would much rather have you safe than sorry.
Screech
Have you noticed a screeching noise coming from your furnace system? This is very likely an indicator 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 circulate warm air around your home in a successful manger.
This may just mean that the blower motor needs to be lubricated. But it could also mean that the fan has stopped altogether. To properly assess the situation, it’s vital that a local HVAC tech visits your home. Once we diagnose the issue, we’ll be able to advise you on the next best steps.
ClAnK
Are you hearing something akin to metal-on-metal? Then you probably are hearing metal-on-metal. This can be a sign of a serious issue with the furnace’s blower wheel or some other component that has become loose. If this is indeed the case, you’ll want to turn off your furnace and contact a pro right away. Failing to do so can allow your furnace to go through too much strain to run, and the system is more likely to break down as a result.
BOOM
Typically, a banging or booming noise that you may hear coming from your furnace is the sign of a dirty burner. This certainly isn’t a sound to ignore, as it can become a dangerous noise. Well, we don’t mean the noise itself is dangerous, but it’s signaling dangerous furnace operation.
What happens is that dirt and other grime build up on the heat exchangers and burners of your furnace. When those burners do ignite, they may have to break through a couple layers of grime. As you can probably surmise, this is potentially dangerous, not only for you but for the heating system too.
RatTLE
Rattling may not seem like a very threatening noise, right? Well, unfortunately, if you hear a rattle coming from the furnace, it may be pretty harmful. This can be the sign of a cracked heat exchanger, a leak in your ductwork allowing heated and conditioned air into unused portions of your home, or any other number of potential problems.
For professional Chicago, IL heating services, contact Shavitz Heating and Air Conditioning today.