Look Out for These Abnormal Heater Noises

Sometimes noises that come from appliances are normal. Your television, computer, phone, and your dishwasher all make noises. Even your toaster makes a good amount of normal noise! However, some appliances are specifically designed not to make excessive noise. Your heater is one of them.

Aside from the sound of a gentle warm breeze this winter, and the sound of the jets firing on, your heater shouldn’t be making any suspicious sounds. If it is, it could be high time for heater repairs in Durham, NC.

A furnace making excessive noise is generally a sign that there’s something seriously wrong with it that needs to be addressed. Like a child yelling for help, hopefully, the sounds of a misbehaving furnace will garner your attention and give you a reason to call a professional technician as soon as possible!

The Many Noises a Heater Can Make

You’d be surprised by the number of different noises a problematic heater can make. Since we’re the experts, we’ll clue you in on a few of the most common noises. If you recognize one of these sounds, don’t hesitate to let us know.

• Rattling or Vibrating. This can be a major cause for concern. Rattling or vibrating is usually a signal that something is loose inside your furnace or air ducts. If you’ve got a screw or a section of your air duct loose, you might run into some much more serious problems down the line when your system breaks down. Contact a professional to address the loose part as soon as possible.
• Whistling. Does your furnace make the sound of whistling wind? That’s because there is a whistling wind! This usually means that there is a hole somewhere in your ductwork. On the one hand, this could lead to your house being colder, and on the other hand, it could cause your system to be running less efficiently. Get that leak sealed up!
• Squealing. No, you don’t have any pigs in your house. In all seriousness, this could be an issue with a motor, belt, or bearing. This might not be the most urgent issue or lead to anything dangerous, but it can cause some very expensive problems down the line.
• Booming. Don’t ignore this noise. A booming sound can be a clue towards a pretty dangerous problem. A booming furnace probably means that you have a delayed gas ignition. That means that gas is constantly building up in your system instead of burning right away. That booming taking place in your furnace is an explosion. Need we say more?

What we’re trying to tell you here, is that furnace noises can mean anything from a slight inconveniencing problem to something potentially dangerous. These systems are reliable, efficient, and affordable, but the longer you go without getting these noises checked, the worse all of those factors get.

A happy furnace is a quiet furnace, don’t let yourself think that these sounds are something that should be expected with a heating system!

Is your furnace going bump in the night? Call Raleigh Heating & Air for an affordable and effective solution today!