Nothing can be more terrifying than hearing a very loud and strange noise coming from your heater. Depending on what the noise is, you could be in for an expensive repair or just overdue for a tune-up. The only way to find out is to identify what the noise might mean and call an HVAC technician.
At Heblon Heating & Air Conditioning, we’re experts when it comes to heaters. Here are a few reasons why your heater is making a strange noise and what those noises might mean.
Banging Noise
If you turn on your heater after being off for a long time and suddenly hear a loud bang or popping noise, you probably just heard a small gas explosion come from the inside of your heater.
More than likely there is a delay occurring in the ignition of your heater. This happens when dirt builds up in the burners, causing gas to build up when you turn the heater on. The loud banging is from those burners finally igniting. While you probably won’t have to worry about your heater making that noise again, you should have an HVAC technician inspect the unit. The small explosion that occurs when those burners do ignite can cause serious damage to your heater.
Squealing Noise
Hearing a squealing noise come from your heater can be terrifying. Your first thought might be that an animal has somehow got caught in your HVAC system. But don’t worry, that’s very unlikely to occur. More than likely, a part of your heater needs to be lubricated.
The blower fan motor and other parts need to be lubricated so they can run smoothly. Over time, the lubrication that was applied when the unit was assembled will deteriorate and fade away. Having an HVAC technician reapply lubricant can solve this issue.
A squealing noise can also occur if the fan belt is worn or misaligned. This can potentially be dangerous and cause a lot of damage to your heater. The best thing you can do is turn off your heater until you can have a professional inspect the issue further.
Scraping Noise
If you ever hear something that sounds like scraping metal coming from your heater, well, that’s probably exactly what’s causing the noise to occur. If you hear a scraping noise, you might also notice that your heater is not producing any heat.
This is because more than likely the fan has become loose from its mount. The scraping is the sound of the fan scratching the inside of your heating unit. You can tell if this is the case simply by looking through the top vent of your heater and seeing if the fan is moving strangely. Although this often occurs after years of use, this can also happen if the unit was not assembled properly.
A loose fan can cause a lot of damage to your heater. By scratching other parts of the inside of your heater, it can permanently break other parts, making potential repairs impossible. Furthermore, the fan is going to generate a lot of heat, making it possible for your heater to overheat. If the fan has become loose then immediately turn off your heater and contact an HVAC professional.
Contact Us
If you need assistance with your heater or HVAC system, then contact Heblon Heating & Air Conditioning. Whether you need an AC repair, a furnace install, or an indoor air quality test, we can help you with all your heating and air needs.
If you are located in Meridian, contact us today!
