We’ve all heard the ghost stories; a loud pop comes out of nowhere; there’s a gusty breeze inside the home; you hear what sounds like whining and hissing. San Antonio is full of spooky old homes, some of which might even be haunted. If you hear the ghastly rumblings of a poltergeist in your house, stay calm. It’s probably not a ghost. More than likely, it’s just your heater.
We’re not paranormal experts over here at ABC Home & Commercial Services, but we are HVAC experts, and we have heard all sorts of noises coming from our customers’ heating systems.
The Sounds Old Furnaces Make, And Why
We’ve put together a list of common noises you heater might make. Take a look and see if anything sounds familiar.
Popping and Clicking Sounds
You’re drifting off into an evening nap in the middle of winter, and suddenly you’re startled awake by a loud ‘POP’ followed by that familiar hum of your heater turning on. You may feel frightened, or at the very least, annoyed!
Popping, crackling and clinging sounds coming from your heater at the start of a cycle usually signify an overly dirty furnace. Residue builds up on a heater over time and can delay the ignition process, causing gas to build up until it can finally ignite with a ‘bang.’ This noise can also occur when metal air ducts expand and contract quickly. Many older San Antonio homes have these deteriorated metal ducts.
Hissing and Whining Noises Coming From the Heater
Does your furnace sound like a wailing old woman?
Some furnace problems cause the heater to make squealing or whining noises that most certainly sound like a ghost in the home. No one wants to scare guests off during a winter dinner party, and fortunately these sounds are easy fixes.
High-pitched noises like these are usually caused by a blower belt that has come loose inside your heater system or a blower motor that needs to be replaced. Some similar noises mean that your system needs to be oiled/lubricated.
Scratching or Scraping Noises in the Furnace
If you hear a sound akin to nails on a chalkboard, turn off your heater immediately. Scraping sounds might mean that your blower wheel is malfunctioning, and it needs to be tightened by a technician. It could also mean that the motor assembly has broken down or was installed incorrectly in the first place. In worst case scenarios, this part of your heater system may need replacing.
If Your Heater is Making Noises, ABC can help.
We may be the Ghost Busters, but we’re confident that your home is not haunted. If you hear some uncomfortably loud furnace noises, ABC can most definitely fix the problem. Learn more about our HVAC services and make quickly make an appointment today. All of our heating and air conditioning technicians are background-checked and instructed on how to do their work without making a mess in our customers’ homes.