With the chill of winter settling in here in Raleigh, your furnace toils in the background to warm your house. You probably don't even think about it until you hear something strange coming from it. A banging, a squealing, or a rattling noise can be frightening and is usually a sure bet that something is amiss and needs to be repaired.
Discounting such noises can be a costly mistake. What can be a simple, cheap heat fix in Raleigh today can become a big, expensive breakdown tomorrow. Our primer will guide you through what the strange noises are trying to say and why it is always best to call a pro.
Your furnace contains an advanced system of motors, fans, and ignitors that cooperate to heat your home. When one of these units starts failing, it has a tendency to emit a very specific sound. Let us examine the most frequent sounds and what they mean.
This is probably the most frightening sound your furnace will make. It is most likely a sign of a delayed ignition. When there is a build-up of gas in the combustion chamber prior to burning, it causes a mini explosion that produces a clear, booming sound. This may be the result of dirty burners or a malfunctioning ignitor. This sound is not only bad for your furnace, but it's a severe safety concern that can cause a cracked heat exchanger and carbon monoxide leakage.
A high-pitched squeal or a recurring chirp is typically a symptom of an issue with your furnace's blower motor. This can be due to an old fan belt or bearings that have lost their lubrication. Although not life-threatening right away, if this noise is not addressed, it will cause the motor to lock up, resulting in a total system shutdown and a significantly costlier fix or replacement.
This is a very ominous sound you don't want to hear. Grinding or scraping metal sound typically means that a metal component, such as a blower wheel, has become loose and is wearing on the furnace casing. If you hear this noise, turn off your furnace immediately and have a professional look at it. Continuing to run the system will cause costly damage that can lead to total system replacement.
A rattling noise could be caused by a number of reasons, from a loose access panel to anything more involved like a cracked heat exchanger. Loose nuts and bolts in the system or even trash accumulated within the blower fan could also be the reason. The wisest thing to do is to employ an expert for a thorough check-up in an effort to determine what the cause of the noise is and prevent any further damage.
A click sound is typically something to be expected. You will hear a click whenever your furnace shuts off and on because the gas valve or ignitor is kicking in. However, if you hear recurring clicking without the furnace lighting, it may be a problem with your ignitor or bad relay. This typically means your furnace is trying to light but is unable to and it's good that you need professional Raleigh heating repair.
While sounds may be minor, they are usually a precursor to something worse. Ignoring them can lead to:
To guarantee your safety and convenience, never ignore a strange sound from your furnace.
Even if some online guides do offer a DIY fix, when it comes to furnaces, the best course of action is always to call professionals. A furnace is a complex appliance, and without training and equipment, you'll do more harm or, worst of all, put your family and home at risk.
A professional heating technician can:
Hire a professional to service your heating repair in Raleigh.
The cost of a Raleigh repair will vary greatly depending on what's needed. A minor adjustment like a dirty flame sensor or loose part can be very cheap, while a major component replacement like a blower motor or heat exchanger can be more costly. Our technicians provide you with an open, upfront estimate once a full diagnosis is performed.
We recommend a professional tune-up every year for your furnace, preferably in the fall before you start using your heat on a daily basis. Regular maintenance can catch issues early before they become major, costly repairs.
While a loose access panel will get by sometimes in an emergency, it's better to call someone. A rattling can also be a sign of something worse and more serious like a cracked heat exchanger or a faulty blower motor and should only be taken care of by a professional.
Low humming sound is normal when the furnace is in use. However, if the humming is excessive or persistent, it is a sign that there is a faulty fan, clogged filter, or electrical component malfunction.
Place your hand on a vent with the furnace running. If the air feels cold or warm, it could be a sign of a malfunctioning flame sensor, ignitor, or a gas supply issue.
Your furnace's weird sounds are its way of crying out for assistance. Don't wait until your system collapses on a cold night. If you're noticing something unusual, call in a pro.
For reliable Raleigh heating repair, trust the experts at Ultra Air Heating & Cooling. We'll diagnose the problem, provide you with an open, flat rate estimate, and have your furnace running safely and quietly. Call us today at (919) 348-9399.
Discounting such noises can be a costly mistake. What can be a simple, cheap heat fix in Raleigh today can become a big, expensive breakdown tomorrow. Our primer will guide you through what the strange noises are trying to say and why it is always best to call a pro.
Decoding the Sounds: What Your Furnace is Trying to Tell You
Your furnace contains an advanced system of motors, fans, and ignitors that cooperate to heat your home. When one of these units starts failing, it has a tendency to emit a very specific sound. Let us examine the most frequent sounds and what they mean.
Banging, Popping, or Booming
This is probably the most frightening sound your furnace will make. It is most likely a sign of a delayed ignition. When there is a build-up of gas in the combustion chamber prior to burning, it causes a mini explosion that produces a clear, booming sound. This may be the result of dirty burners or a malfunctioning ignitor. This sound is not only bad for your furnace, but it's a severe safety concern that can cause a cracked heat exchanger and carbon monoxide leakage.
Squealing or Chirping
A high-pitched squeal or a recurring chirp is typically a symptom of an issue with your furnace's blower motor. This can be due to an old fan belt or bearings that have lost their lubrication. Although not life-threatening right away, if this noise is not addressed, it will cause the motor to lock up, resulting in a total system shutdown and a significantly costlier fix or replacement.
Grinding or Scraping
This is a very ominous sound you don't want to hear. Grinding or scraping metal sound typically means that a metal component, such as a blower wheel, has become loose and is wearing on the furnace casing. If you hear this noise, turn off your furnace immediately and have a professional look at it. Continuing to run the system will cause costly damage that can lead to total system replacement.
Rattling
A rattling noise could be caused by a number of reasons, from a loose access panel to anything more involved like a cracked heat exchanger. Loose nuts and bolts in the system or even trash accumulated within the blower fan could also be the reason. The wisest thing to do is to employ an expert for a thorough check-up in an effort to determine what the cause of the noise is and prevent any further damage.
Clicking
A click sound is typically something to be expected. You will hear a click whenever your furnace shuts off and on because the gas valve or ignitor is kicking in. However, if you hear recurring clicking without the furnace lighting, it may be a problem with your ignitor or bad relay. This typically means your furnace is trying to light but is unable to and it's good that you need professional Raleigh heating repair.
The Dangers of Ignoring Strange Furnace Noises
While sounds may be minor, they are usually a precursor to something worse. Ignoring them can lead to:
- Higher Utility Bills: A malfunctioning furnace is a noisy furnace. A failing system has to work harder to heat your home, and this means higher utility bills.
- System Failure: The longer you go without addressing a weird noise, the more likely that the part is going to fail completely, leaving you without heat on a chilly Raleigh evening.
- Safety Hazards: As mentioned above, noises like a bang or a scrape can be due to a cracked heat exchanger, which allows dangerous carbon monoxide to creep into your home. This is a potentially life-threatening problem that requires prompt repair.
To guarantee your safety and convenience, never ignore a strange sound from your furnace.
Why You Need a Professional for Heating Repair in Raleigh
Even if some online guides do offer a DIY fix, when it comes to furnaces, the best course of action is always to call professionals. A furnace is a complex appliance, and without training and equipment, you'll do more harm or, worst of all, put your family and home at risk.
A professional heating technician can:
- Properly Diagnose the Problem: Our experts are trained to identify the source of the noise, not the symptom.
- Make Safe Repairs: We have the tools and training to service gas lines, electrical systems, and other hazardous parts of your furnace safely.
- Ensure Long-Term Solutions: We don't just apply a quick fix; we provide you with a long-term solution that will have your furnace running safely and efficiently for years to come.
Hire a professional to service your heating repair in Raleigh.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much is a heating repair in Raleigh?
The cost of a Raleigh repair will vary greatly depending on what's needed. A minor adjustment like a dirty flame sensor or loose part can be very cheap, while a major component replacement like a blower motor or heat exchanger can be more costly. Our technicians provide you with an open, upfront estimate once a full diagnosis is performed.
2. How frequently do I need to have my furnace serviced?
We recommend a professional tune-up every year for your furnace, preferably in the fall before you start using your heat on a daily basis. Regular maintenance can catch issues early before they become major, costly repairs.
3. Is a rattling noise from my furnace an easy do-it-yourself fix?
While a loose access panel will get by sometimes in an emergency, it's better to call someone. A rattling can also be a sign of something worse and more serious like a cracked heat exchanger or a faulty blower motor and should only be taken care of by a professional.
4. Is my furnace supposed to be humming?
Low humming sound is normal when the furnace is in use. However, if the humming is excessive or persistent, it is a sign that there is a faulty fan, clogged filter, or electrical component malfunction.
5. How will I know that my furnace is blowing cold air?
Place your hand on a vent with the furnace running. If the air feels cold or warm, it could be a sign of a malfunctioning flame sensor, ignitor, or a gas supply issue.
Don't Wait for a Breakdown
Your furnace's weird sounds are its way of crying out for assistance. Don't wait until your system collapses on a cold night. If you're noticing something unusual, call in a pro.
For reliable Raleigh heating repair, trust the experts at Ultra Air Heating & Cooling. We'll diagnose the problem, provide you with an open, flat rate estimate, and have your furnace running safely and quietly. Call us today at (919) 348-9399.