The Furnace May Be Haunting the House!
With summer coming to an end and fall in full swing, now is the spookiest time of the year: Halloween! This means that many homeowners and their families will be gearing up by preparing the best Halloween costumes, candy collections, and spooky decorations. This is also a time of the year when many houses may seem haunted. But there is one saying that homeowners should not mix up with a haunted house: their furnace!
That’s right; the furnace can be a source of many spooky sounds that homeowners may mistake for a haunted house. However, it is important to look out for the sounds, as they may indicate that furnace repair or furnace replacement is needed. As such, continue reading for a comprehensive overview of the most common furnace sounds and what may cause them.
Frightening BOOMs
Frightening BOOMs are the first type of sound that may indicate that the furnace needs help. The most common reason that the sounds occur is the ductwork that is in charge of transporting air throughout the home. If homeowners have problematic ductwork, then the excessive contraction expansion may be causing these sudden BOOM sounds. If this is the case, then furnace service would be required to address the issue.
If the ductwork is all good, the culprit could be a defective gas valve or an issue with the burner. If the burner is dirty, then this may have consequences for airflow and lighting. If the valves are not operating properly, this may cause leaks, which is especially dangerous if homeowners are dealing with gas furnaces. These BOOM sounds will be quite obvious and should be taken seriously.
Screeches or Clunks
The next category of sounds that may signal that homeowners need to get their furnace checked is scratches or clunking sounds. The most common reason for these sounds is the fan belt, which aids in circulating warm air from the blower. If the fan belt is damaged or malfunctioning, this can have huge downstream consequences for the functioning of the furnace and would therefore require the attention of a heater service.
It is also possible that there could be problems with the motor, particularly if it has not been lubricated recently. Screeching will occur without regular lubrication. The best way to avoid these issues altogether is to get regular maintenance checks, as professionals can periodically check for issues with the furnace and address them on site.
Bangs and Rattles
Last but not least, homeowners may hear banging or rattling, which can be associated with furnace issues. The main reason for these sounds is the heat exchanger, which is a critical component of the furnace. If there are any cracks in the exchanger, then these can be very problematic. They can lead to gas leaks, particularly carbon monoxide, which can be lethal to homeowners and their families.
Homeowners should periodically check their furnace for any visible issues like cracks, corrosion, abnormal flame color, and more. Of course, if they even suspect an issue with their furnace, they should seek professional help immediately!
About Champion Comfort Experts
Champion Comfort Experts of Flat Rock, NC is a family-owned and operated company that takes a great deal of pride in the work they do for their customers. They use the latest technology to develop best-in-class solutions and offer flat-rate pricing and 100% customer satisfaction guaranteed. Call them for HVAC help today!