Furnaces might not be able to talk, but they sure can make some strange noises. Many homeowners report that their units have begun to clatter, rumble, squeal, or whine, and they don’t know what to do or what went wrong. So let’s take a look at some of the causes behind a furnace making loud noises and what you should do to take care of it.
Why would a furnace be making loud noises?
There are several reasons why a furnace can start making loud noises. In older systems, two parts are often to blame: the pilot light and the blower motor’s belt. Your pilot light begins to make a clattering noise when it needs to be adjusted, and your blower motor’s belt makes a high-pitched sound when it wears down or slips off the motor.
Other common sources of furnace noises include bearings that need to be lubricated (which make a high pitched squeal), dirty gas burners (which make a low rumbling sound), and panels that need to be tightened (which loosely rattle against each other).
What should you do when your furnace is making loud noises?
Regardless of the type of noise that your furnace is making, you should call a professional like [company_name] as soon as possible. New noises are your furnace’s way of telling you that something is wrong, and you should take care of the problem before it gets worse. You never want to take chances with a gas-burning appliance like your furnace, so it’s best to have your unit looked at by a professional instead of trying to fix things on your own.
How can you avoid a noisy furnace in the future?
Annual maintenance is the best way to prevent your furnace from developing loud noises. Most of the problems described above can be avoided when a technician cleans and tunes up your furnace once a year.
If you have any questions about a furnace making loud noises, or if you’d like a heating system serviced or installed in your home, contact [company_name], your St. Louis heating and cooling company. We service the St. Louis area and surrounding cities like Maryland Heights, O’Fallon, and St. Paul.