Normal Looking Houses with Haunted Furnaces
Unexplained booming, rattling, banging, and screeching are usually associated with ghosts haunting homes, especially around Halloween. While that may not be entirely untrue, it could even feel scarier to experience this right in one’s house, and they might want to conclude that the house is haunted! Before anyone concludes that those booming, clunking, and rattling noises are probably ghosts and goblins haunting the house, they might need to inspect the furnace first.
Home furnaces are designed to keep the rooms warm and the cold out, especially in winter. But like any other mechanical unit, it’s important to check out the furnace for essential maintenance and repairs to ensure its optimum performance, as sometimes that might be where all the noise is coming from.
It’s a Furnace, Not a War Machine
What are those booming and banging sounds? Before cowering and looking for someplace to hide, the furnace is the first place to look. A furnace may intermittently give off loud banging or booming sounds when the ductwork continuously expands or contracts under normal conditions. Usually, this expansion and contraction may occur once in a while, but frequent loud banging may be due to an obstruction in the air vent or ductwork that has pulled loose from its mounts due to it being in service for a long time.
A delayed ignition might cause a gas furnace to give off a banging sound when switched on. Usually, this happens due to dirt build-up or misalignment of burners, insufficient gas supply, mixing of air and gas. The boom comes from an explosive ignition of the poor gas/air mix in the burner. Furnace maintenance can prevent this problem, and a heater tune-up can whip it back into shape if it’s been a while since maintenance has been performed.
Annoying Musical Duets - The Screech and the Clunk
When the furnace gives off a screeching sound, it’s a sign that something is wrong with the fan belt on the blower. It could be worn or loose, and it sure won’t give off quality hot air as it should. Also, clunking sounds could be due to faulty motors on the blower when the capacitor is bad, or the motors are worn out, leading to reduced airflow and screeching sound.
A furnace repair expert will help with a furnace repair service and discover the underlying problem.
Living Noises - The Bang and the Crack
That rattling and banging might be the heat exchanger. It supplies heat into the house by receiving cold air and then warms the air on its metal coil, released as warm air. The heat exchanger might begin to crack with prolonged use and lead to carbon monoxide leaks which could be dangerous.
Exposure to carbon monoxide leaks may cause health problems like nausea and headaches and even more compounded issues with prolonged exposure. Tiredness, weakness, and irritation are early signs to look out for. Usually, this will be coupled with the spooky sound of a carbon monoxide alarm going off.
It’s important to contact professionals for a heater service once these signs are noticed, as doing otherwise may take a toll on physical health. A furnace replacement or repair will be an inexpensive option in the long run when the health and safety of a home’s occupants are considered.
About City Plumbing
City Plumbing has served a host of happy customers in Philadelphia, PA fixing furnace nightmares and making houses comfortable for the past two decades. Their goal is to provide expert heater service to homeowners and businesses while giving back to the town they love. Contact them today for quality heating and air services.
