Listen for These Strange Furnace Sounds

chilly-manDo you use a furnace in Alstead, NH? If so, then chances are that you do not need us to elaborate on just how efficient and reliable these systems can be. The furnace has earned its place among the home heating system elite thanks to its prompt, effective heating performance. Like any other heating system, though, the furnace is not perfect. At some point, you are going to find yourself in need of furnace repairs. Ideally, you’ll realize this early on.

When it comes to having your furnace repaired, “the sooner, the better” is really the mantra to keep in mind. The longer that you wait to have any issues with your furnace resolved, the worse off that system is likely to be. The “good” news, if you can call it that, is that your furnace is going to exhibit some warning signs when trouble is brewing. You just have to know what to look for—or, more accurately, what to listen for.

Keep Those Ears Alert!

There are a lot of different warnings signs that could suggest that your furnace is compromised and in need of professional service. Among the most common is the development of strange, unusual sounds emanating from that system.

As the owner of a furnace, you probably realize that there is no such thing as a completely silent furnace. Even electric furnaces that do not combust fuel to generate heat will emit some fan/blower sounds. What you need to be on the lookout (hear-out?) for is any sound that is not in the wheelhouse of normal operational sounds. They may include the following.

  • Scraping. If you hear scraping or a screeching that sounds like metal on metal, then you are probably hearing the result of metal on metal. You could have a loose blower wheel, you could have a broken motor mount. Whatever the case, continuing to run the system is only going to damage it further—and make more noise!
  • Banging. If you use a gas/propane furnace, and you hear that furnace making a loud bang or pop at startup, then you may be experiencing delayed ignition. This means that too much fuel is building up before it is ignited, basically resulting in a small, contained explosion. Needless to say, you don’t want this problem to persist. If the sound happens at odd intervals, it could be ductwork expanding and contracting under temperature fluctuations.
  • Whining. Nobody wants to listen to whining, let alone that coming from an inanimate object. If your system is whining as it works to warm your home, you may be low on lubrication in moving parts. You could also have a worn out belt in the system, or one that has slipped out of place. Whatever the case may be, these “minor” problems will wind up costing more to fix and leaving you in discomfort for longer periods of time when they are ignored. Don’t hesitate to call us at the first sign of trouble.

Call HB Energy Solutions for all your energy needs. HB Energy Solutions delivers peace of mind.

 

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