While you’re busy planning your holiday feast, your furnace is working hard to keep your home cozy. But what if it starts making some strange noises?
Let’s explore some common furnace sounds you might hear this season and what they mean.
Metallic popping
You’re not alone if you’ve ever been startled by a sharp BANG or a series of pops coming from your heating system. Don’t worry – it’s not the sound of your turkey exploding in the oven! This common occurrence is simply your ductwork expanding or contracting due to temperature changes. It’s normal, even startling, when you’re trying to enjoy a quiet evening with family.
Whistling or whining
While preparing your Thanksgiving side dishes, you might hear whistles and whines that seem concerning. But before you blame your tea kettle, consider that these sounds usually indicate changes in airflow velocity through your ducts as the furnace adjusts its output. A properly seated air filter can help prevent excess debris buildup that might otherwise muffle these sounds. So, if you’re hearing these noises, it might mean your filter is doing its job – something to be thankful for!
Buzzing, humming, or roaring
While you’re accustomed to the gentle hum of your furnace, a steadily increasing volume could indicate a problem. If it sounds like your fan is working overtime (much like you might be in the kitchen), there could be multiple causes, but none of them are good. Left unaddressed, a breakdown could follow – definitely not what you want when you have a house full of guests for the holidays.
Squeaking, screeching, or scraping
These unsettling noises could be caused by a fan blade scraping its housing due to broken mounts or a motor shaft rattling in worn-out bearings.
Knocking or clanging
Loud banging that sounds like your furnace is having a heart attack can be harmless or more serious. While it might just be ductwork echoing through walls as it heats and shrinks, it could also indicate heat exchanger failure or loose parts due to worn-out bearings. If you hear these noises, it’s best to shut off the unit and contact a Ballard professional immediately. After all, you want your home to be welcoming for your Thanksgiving guests, not filled with alarming noises!
This Thanksgiving, thank your well-functioning heating system. If you notice any of these noises, don’t hesitate to call Ballard. We offer expert heating and furnace repair service, and are here to ensure your Inland Empire home stays warm and cozy throughout the holiday season and beyond.
Stay warm, and have a happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Ballard Heating! Contact us or call 909-297-1914.
