Note: This article may contain affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase following our links won’t cost you extra, but we may earn a commission. Learn more |
If you’re like most homeowners, you probably don’t give your furnace a whole lot of thought—that is until it starts making strange noises. Then, all of a sudden, you become very aware of every little sound it makes! So what do those furnace noises mean?
We’ve compiled a list of the most common sounds and what they indicate.
If your furnace is making any kind of noise that it hasn’t made before, it can be worrisome. After all, you rely on your furnace to keep your home warm and comfortable during the winter months, so any strange noises coming from it can be cause for concern. Fortunately, in most cases, unusual furnace noises are nothing to worry about and can often be easily fixed.
Here are some of the most common furnace noises and what they usually mean:
1. Banging or Popping Noises: These types of noises are usually caused by something called “expansion noise.”
As your furnace heats up the air inside your home, the metal components of the furnace expand. This can sometimes cause banging or popping sounds. These sounds are usually nothing to worry about and will go away once the furnace has warmed up completely.
2. Hissing Noises: Hissing noises coming from your furnace are usually indicative of a gas leak. If you hear hissing coming from your furnace, it’s important to shut off the gas immediately and call a qualified technician to come to take a look at it.
Gas leaks can be extremely dangerous and should always be addressed right away by a professional.
3. Squealing Noises: Squealing noises coming from your furnace are often caused by loose fan belts or bearings in need of lubrication.
In most cases, these types of problems can be easily fixed by a qualified technician and shouldn’t require major repairs.
However, if left untreated, squealing noises can eventually turn into more serious problems like banging or popping noises (as mentioned above).
The furnace Makes Noise When it off
If your furnace is making noise even when it’s turned off, there are a few possible causes. One is that the blower motor may malfunction and needs to be replaced. Another possibility is that something is caught in the fan blades and causing them to vibrate.
If the noise is coming from the burner area, it could be that the pilot light needs to be relit or that the gas valve is faulty.
In any case, it’s best to have a qualified technician take a look at your furnace to diagnose the problem and make repairs as needed.
Furnace Popping Noise
If you’ve ever heard a loud popping noise coming from your furnace, you’re not alone. This is a relatively common problem that can be caused by a few different things. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at some of the most likely causes of furnace popping noises so that you can troubleshoot the issue and get your furnace back up and running smoothly.
One of the most common causes of furnace popping noises is what’s known as “thermal expansion.” This occurs when the metal components of your furnace expand and contract as they heat up and cool down. This can cause all sorts of sounds, including pops, snaps, and cracks.
While thermal expansion is generally not harmful to your furnace, it can be annoying (to say the least). Another possible cause of furnace popping noises is an accumulation of dirt or debris in the combustion chamber. When this happens, it can cause the burner flame to become unstable, which can create all sorts of strange sounds.
If you think this might be the problem, simply open up the combustion chamber and give it a good cleaning. You may also want to vacuum out any ductwork leading to and from the combustion chamber to remove any built-up dirt or debris there.
Electric Furnace Making Loud Rumbling Noise
If your electric furnace is making a loud, rumbling noise, it may be due to a problem with the blower motor. The blower motor is responsible for circulating air through the furnace, and if it isn’t working properly, the furnace will make a loud noise. You may be able to fix the problem yourself by lubricating the blower motor or replacing the belt that drives the motor.
If these measures don’t fix the problem, you’ll need to call a heating contractor to diagnose and repair your furnace.
What are Normal Furnace Noises?
If you’re wondering what normal furnace noises are, you’ve come to the right place. In this blog post, we’ll discuss some of the most common furnace sounds and what they usually indicate.
Hissing noise. This typically indicates that air is escaping from somewhere in the system and needs to be fixed as soon as possible. If you hear a hissing noise coming from your furnace, it’s best to contact a professional for help.
Banging noise. This can be caused by many things, but it usually means that there’s something loose inside the unit. If you hear a banging noise coming from your furnace, it’s best to shut off the unit and call a professional for help.
Clicking noise. This typically indicates that there’s an issue with the igniter or pilot light. If you hear a clicking noise coming from your furnace, it’s best to shut off the unit and call a professional for help.
Furnace Vibration Noise
Vibration noise from your furnace can be caused by a number of things, but the most common cause is a loose blower wheel. The blower wheel is responsible for moving air through the furnace, and if it’s not secured properly, it can start to vibrate and create a loud noise. Other causes of furnace vibration noise include:
Worn-out bearings in the blower motor: Over time, the bearings in the blower motor can wear out and start to make noise. If you hear a grinding or squealing noise coming from your furnace, it’s likely that the bearings need to be replaced.
Loose bolts: If any of the bolts holding your furnace together are loose, they can rattle and create vibration noise. Tighten any loose bolts to see if that solves the problem.
Dirty air filter: A dirty air filter can restrict airflow and cause the furnace to work harder than necessary. This increased strain on the system can lead to vibration noises.
Be sure to check and clean your air filter regularly (at least once per month).
What Does a Bad Furnace Sound Like?
If you think your furnace may be malfunctioning, it’s important to know what signs to look for so you can call in a professional for repairs. One telltale sign that something is wrong with your furnace is strange noises coming from the unit. If you’re hearing banging, popping, hissing, or whistling, there’s a good chance something is wrong and you’ll need to have a technician take a look.
Another noise that indicates trouble is rattling. This could be caused by anything from loose parts to debris caught in the blower fan. If you hear rattling, it’s best to turn off your furnace and call for repairs rather than risk further damage to the unit.
Of course, any time your furnace is making unusual noises, it’s worth investigating further as there could be an issue that needs to be addressed before it leads to bigger problems down the road. If you’re not sure what the source of the noise is or how to fix it, contact a professional heating and cooling technician for help diagnosing and repairing your furnace.
When Should I Worry About My Furnace Noise?
If you’ve been noticing your furnace making strange noises, it’s important to take note and determine whether or not the noise is something to be concerned about. In most cases, a little bit of furnace noise is perfectly normal and nothing to worry about.
However, if the noise is loud, persistent, or accompanied by other strange symptoms, it could be indicative of a bigger problem that needs to be addressed.
What Does a Bad Furnace Blower Motor Sound Like?
If your furnace blower motor is going bad, you might notice some strange sounds coming from your unit. The most common sound is a loud humming noise. This can be caused by the motor’s bearings starting to wear down.
Other sounds include grinding, squealing, or clicking. These usually indicate that the motor’s parts are coming loose or are otherwise malfunctioning. If you hear any of these noises, it’s best to call a professional to have your furnace checked out.
Relevant Post: What Causes Furnace Ignitor Failure? How To Fix It?