If Furnace Noise Has You Worried, It’s Time To Call A Professional

Your gas furnace normally functions without a problem, but if you’ve been hearing a strange furnace noise lately, you should not ignore it. Pretending that a problem doesn’t exist won’t make it go away. In fact, failure to address the unusual furnace noise in a timely fashion could end up costing you much more in repairs and replacement.

Here are a few noises you might hear coming from your gas furnace and what they probably mean:

• Squealing: A high-pitched squeal is probably one of two things. First, it could be that the shaft bearings need oil. A technician can lubricate the ports at the end of each shaft with lightweight oil to fix the problem. Second, a blower motor belt could be slipping. If it’s simply loose, a technician can tighten it. If the belt is fraying, the technician will replace it.
• Rumbling while the burners are off: A poorly adjusted pilot light is the most probable cause for rumbling with the burners off. A quick adjustment made by a technician will return the system to top working order.
• Rumbling while the burners are on: If you hear a rumbling while the furnace is in operation, the gas burners are probably dirty. This is a common issue because debris collects on the burners over time. A technician knows how to clean the burners or adjust them as needed to repair the problem and stop the noise.
• Whooshing in the ductwork: In homes where a new furnace has replaced the old one, you may notice that the air traveling through the ducts is louder than usual. This indicates that the ductwork is undersized and can’t keep up with the demands made by the new furnace. While this doesn’t pose a safety concern, it reduces efficiency and can be quite annoying. A technician may be able to replace the ductwork or make adjustments to the furnace to lessen the noise.

If you have a noisy furnace or other issues with your home heating or cooling, please contact us at Ace Hardware Home Services, Inc. today. We’ve been serving the Dayton area since 1978.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about furnace noise and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Ace Hardware Home Services services the Ohio’s Miami Valley. Visit our websiteto see our special offers and get started today!