Furnace Noises That Should Cause Concern

Loud Bang or Pop When the Furnace Turns On

Here are two common reasons for the loud banging or popping coming from your furnace:

• Dirty furnace burners – the dirt on the furnace burners delay the burners from igniting, causing an excess of gas to build up. So when the gas does finally ignite, you’ll hear a loud bang. You should never ignore this noise because these small explosions could crack the heat exchanger (which is expensive to repair). Regular furnace maintenance can help prevent this issue before the heating season even starts.
• Expanding and contracting air ducts – this is a common noise for homeowners with metal ducts. The ducts expand and contract as the blower turns off and on. This could be a sign of undersized ducts, closed vents, flimsy ducts, or a clogged air filter.

Squealing or Whining Noise

A high-pitched squealing noise is caused by:

• Loose, slipping, or fraying blower belt (should be adjusted by a Green Apple Mechanical NJ technician or replaced if fraying)
• Shaft bearings that need oil (a technician needs to apply lightweight oil to the lubrication port at each end of the shaft)
• Malfunctioning blower motor (needs to be fixed or replaced)

This squealing or whining noise isn’t as big of a deal as the others listed above, but it’s best to get it fixed before it causes any further troubles inside your furnace. If you have any questions or concerns regarding any of your HVAC or plumbing needs call us toll-free at 888-611-7191