4 Common Causes (+ Fixes)
- Blocked Condensation Pipes. The furnace uses pipes to transport condensation out of the system and ensure water doesn’t leak from the air vents.
- Faulty Condensate Pump. The condensate pump may also be at fault if you hear a gurgling sound coming from the furnace. ...
- Excessive Condensation in the Furnace. ...
- Problems With the Refrigerant Lines. ...
- Summary. ...
Why your furnace may be making these weird noises?
Here Are 7 Possible Causes
- Broken blower wheel. When your furnace blower wheel is broken, it will make your furnace sound like metal scraping against metal and will really hurt your ears!
- Furnace Blower Wheel is out of balance. ...
- Dirty Burners. ...
- Blower Motor Bearings. ...
- Air Leak. ...
- Cracked Heat Exchanger. ...
- Noisy Transformer. ...
Why is my gas furnace making a scary 'boom' noise?
- The gas valve opens and sends gas to the burners where it’s then ignited by the ignitor (or pilot light for older furnaces).
- Heat from the burner flames heats the heat exchanger
- Your blower blows air over the heat exchanger and then pushes that heated air throughout your home.
Why is my furnace making knocking sounds?
If you hear your furnace making noise it could be a problem with the fan that cools down the furnace. This is caused by the fan bearings being worn out. So to be fixed the bearings will need to be replaced.
Is your furnace making too much noise?
- If your furnace has a inshot gas burner, it will make some noise when it burns the gas
- Furnaces with induced draft or forced draft motor will also make some noise during gas combustion
- Blower motor will also make some noise when blowing hot air through your HVAC system
Why is my furnace drain gurgling?
A gurgling sound from a drain means that air is being released from air pockets that have formed inside the piping. These air pockets are created by build-up inside your pipes that has become significant. If the build-up isn't removed, it is likely that at some point the drain will clog fully.
Why is my condensate pump gurgling?
Gurgling A loud gurgling or bubbling noise can be a sign of a clogged drain pipe or malfunctioning condensate pump. When a condensate pump starts to fail, it can lead to excess water building up. It creates the noise as it tries to get rid of the water.
Why does my furnace sound like popcorn?
If you hear popping sounds and you don't have a bag of popcorn in the microwave, you could be dealing with dirty furnace burners or damaged air ducts. When the burners are dirty, the buildup prevents them from igniting, which causes too much gas to build up, making a popping sound.
How do I know if my furnace condensate pump is bad?
If that condenser pump fails, the water overflows the pump and spills onto the floor. That doesn't necessarily mean the pump is bad; the problem could be just algae buildup in the pump's check valve. So start your diagnosis by unplugging the condenser pump. Disconnect the drain line and empty the water into a bucket.
How often should furnace condensate pump run?
It is essential that the condensate pump system is regularly checked for correct operation. The frequency will depend on the environment in which the unit is operating but should be a minimum of once every 3 months.
How do you fix a popping furnace?
Here are two ways to solve the problem:Seal and insulate your ducts. Wrapping your ducts in insulation should solve your "cold winter morning" heating duct popping noise. ... Replace your ducts. Replacing your ducts is usually more cost effective than insulating them.
What does a bad furnace sound like?
A dull hum is normal while your furnace is running. But if you hear a loud humming or buzzing sound coming from your furnace, it usually means your furnace has an electrical problem. The most common electrical issues that cause a humming or buzzing sound include: A failing blower motor capacitor.
Why is my heater making a popping sound?
You might hear mild popping sounds whenever you turn on your home's heater because your home's vents are expanding or contracting depending on the temperature change. This is normal.
Why Is My Furnace Making Banging Sounds?
If your furnace is making a loud booming or banging noise, the problem may be caused by a small gas explosion that happens when there’s a delay in...
Why Is My Furnace Making Shrieking Noises?
If your furnace is making a high-pitched squealing noise, this is an indicator of a problem with the motor such as a damaged belt. If you discover...
Why Is My Furnace Making Scraping Sounds?
If your furnace is making a scraping noise, this may be a sign of worn out ball bearings. On the other hand, the blower wheel may have also come lo...
Why Is My Furnace Making a Rattling Noise?
When something is loose in your furnace, it will cause vibration. Once a part becomes too loose, it can break other components in your gas or elect...
Why Is My Furnace Making Whistling Noises?
Your furnace may be making a whistling noise due to restricted airflow from a clogged air filter. Try changing your air filter and see if the spook...
Why Is My Furnace Making a Popping Noise?
At the beginning of a heating cycle, the blower motor distributes warm air into the air ducts in your house. If you notice a loud popping noise whe...
Why Is My Furnace Making Humming Sounds?
A majority of furnaces will produce a low humming noise while they are operating. If this noise is becoming noticeably loud, this is a signal of a...
Blocked Condensation Pipes
The furnace uses pipes to transport condensation out of the system and ensure water doesn’t leak from the air vents. The pipes run out of the furnace toward a “condensate trap” — a small structure that “traps” the condensate water.
Faulty Condensate Pump
The condensate pump may also be at fault if you hear a gurgling sound coming from the furnace. This is because a failing condensate pump leads to condensate buildup inside the furnace. The pump is responsible for sucking in the condensate water and sending it through the condensate pipes toward the trap.
Excessive Condensation in the Furnace
As we already established, when there’s too much condensation inside the furnace, you’re likely to hear a gurgling sound. This problem can be diagnosed by opening up the main panel on the furnace and looking inside.
Problems With the Refrigerant Lines
Another reason for an HVAC system to cause a gurgling sound may be related to the refrigerant lines. Note that this doesn’t apply to a heating system that only consists of a furnace. But most homes in the US do have a complete HVAC system. In other words, you have an air conditioning unit (AC).
Summary
Sometimes, a gurgling sound in a furnace may be normal, but only if it’s very subtle and happens for a few seconds when you first turn the furnace on. But when the sound is loud and just keeps going, you need to look at possible problems.
Why does my furnace make a noise?
If your furnace is making a loud booming or banging noise, the problem may be caused by a small gas explosion that happens when there’s a delay in ignition. Gas can build up in your combustion chamber when the gas burners in your furnace do not ignite on time. If the gas burners are not igniting efficiently, this is an indicator of a clog or a gas pressure problem. Do not attempt to fix a gas burner without a licensed technician. Disassembling the heat exchanger or burners can cause a gas leak in your house.
Why does my furnace make a whistling noise?
Your furnace may be making a whistling noise due to restricted airflow from a clogged air filter. Try changing your air filter and see if the spooky sound goes away.
Why is my gas burner not igniting?
If the gas burners are not igniting efficiently, this is an indicator of a clog or a gas pressure problem. Do not attempt to fix a gas burner without a licensed technician. Disassembling the heat exchanger or burners can cause a gas leak in your house.
What happens when a furnace is too loose?
When something is loose in your furnace, it will cause vibration. Once a part becomes too loose, it can break other components in your gas or electric furnace. Hire a technician to perform an inspection of the blower motor, hot surface ignitor, heat exchanger, or gas burners. A certified professional has the tools and equipment necessary to tighten loose parts in your furnace.
What happens when you remove debris from a furnace?
If the debris is not removed from the gas burners each year, a large amount of gas will start to collect and cause holes to form in your heat exchanger.
Faulty Wiring
A buzzing sound generally means something is wrong with the flow of electricity inside the furnace. In many cases, you’ll find that the problem lies with issues related to the electrical wiring.
Problems With the Capacitor
The capacitor is another important electrical component of your furnace. The capacitor sits close to the motor and is responsible for starting it when you turn the furnace on. This device is directly connected to a power source within the furnace and can get faulty over time.
Faulty Blower Motor
The blower motor connects to the capacitor and blower fan. Problems with the blower motor or its connections can also cause a buzzing sound in the furnace.
Problems With the Transformer
The transformer plays a large role in assuring the furnace can start when you turn it on. The transformer is situated inside the system. It regulates the voltage supplied to the furnace. A low voltage will cause problems with the furnace’s functionality, usually leading to insufficient heating and air distribution.
Summary
While some noises are considered normal as the furnace starts, you shouldn’t ignore a buzzing sound. It may be related to several electrical problems with the furnace, including faulty wiring and issues with certain electrical components.
Why does my furnace make a rattling noise?
As a furnace blows warm air throughout your home, the air passes through a filter, then into your ducts and out of your vents. A clogged or dirty filter may reduce airflow through your system and cause whistling noises as the air forces its way through the filter. Loose bolts or other fittings on the furnace itself may also cause a rattling ...
What is the noise of a furnace?
Furnace Makes a Whistling Sound. One of the most common unpleasant furnace noises is a whistling sound. Whistling furnaces can be shrill and may be quite loud or fairly subtle depending on the type of furnace and the nature of the issue itself. First, try to identify roughly where the sound is coming from. If you hear whistling in one room but not ...
How to tell if furnace is running louder than it should be?
Sometimes it’s hard to tell if a furnace is running louder than it ought to. If your furnace is making banging or booming noises, you’ll probably figure out pretty quickly that something’s wrong!
Why is my blower fan loud?
The main culprit would be an issue with your blower fan motor. If the sound is loudest during startup, this is very likely the reason. The fan motor itself may be dying, or the electrical components powering the fan may be worn out or faulty.
Why does gas ignite so quickly?
A delayed ignition means that gas has had time to build up. Once it finally ignites, the excess gas burns very quickly , causing a small explosion.
Can a service technician replace a blower fan?
Replacing a blower fan is a more involved job that requires removing the existing fan and rewiring the replacement.
Why Furnace Buzzing Sounds Need To Be Fixed By a Professional
In a world where everything is DIY, resolving your furnace’s buzzing issues are not. If your furnace makes a buzzing noise when running, you need to contact an HVAC professional. While you may know which part the sounds are coming from, you may severely injure yourself attempting to fix the malfunction or replace a component of your furnace.
3 Other Types of Furnace Sounds
If your furnace isn’t buzzing but it’s making an unusual noise, you’ll want to first determine the type of noise as well as the cause.
Furnace Repair & Installation Services
Has it been a while since your furnace was serviced? Is your furnace producing a buzzing noise when it’s running? If you answered yes, contact the technicians at WM Henderson for furnace repair and furnace installation services. Furnace buzzing noises when running are annoying, but they can be fixed.
Why does my furnace make a loud noise?
If ignition is delayed for any reason, a small cloud of unburned flammable gas accumulates in the combustion chamber. When this cloud belatedly ignites, it produces a loud sound within the metal furnace cabinet. Ductwork typically transmits this noise throughout the entire house.
What happens when a furnace is delayed?
When this cloud belatedly ignites, it produces a loud sound within the metal furnace cabinet. Ductwork typically transmits this noise throughout the entire house.
Why does sheet metal make a booming sound?
Sheet metal contracts when the weather is cold and rapidly expands when the furnace cycles back on, which produces stress at the seams of the ducts. To relieve this stress, the sheet metal buckles slightly outward, making a booming or banging sound.
Why does my furnace make a gurgling noise?
Old furnaces rarely made running water or gurgling noises because there was no condensation or liquid involved. Today, newer and high-efficiency furnaces do produce condensation. This means that under certain circumstances, your furnace will sound like there’s running water somewhere, but Metro Heating & Cooling experts say ...
What to do if you find a puddle in your furnace?
If you find rust or damaged parts, or the noise issues linger, go ahead and make a routine maintenance inspection for your furnace to be on the safe side.
What to do about a furnace running water?
What to Do About a Furnace with Running Water Sounds. Don’t just put up with strange noises as a fact of life. Your furnace should operate relatively quietly if nothing is wrong. For your quality of life and to make sure you don’t have a major heating problem beginning, ask a heating expert to troubleshoot the water sound.
Faulty Wiring
- A buzzing sound generally means something is wrong with the flow of electricity inside the furnace. In many cases, you’ll find that the problem lies with issues related to the electrical wiring. There are many electrical wires running through your furnace. The power source connects to the furnace’s interior, where the control board, blower assembly...
Problems with The Capacitor
- The capacitor is another important electrical component of your furnace. The capacitor sits close to the motor and is responsible for starting it when you turn the furnace on. This device is directly connected to a power source within the furnace and can get faulty over time. The capacitor can develop a few different issues. For example, a power surge could damage the interior componen…
Faulty Blower Motor
- The blower motor connects to the capacitor and blower fan. Problems with the blower motor or its connections can also cause a buzzing sound in the furnace. Note that a faulty blower motor will produce a more persistent buzzing sound than a bad capacitor or faulty wiring.
Problems with The Transformer
- The transformer plays a large role in assuring the furnace can start when you turn it on. The transformer is situated inside the system. It regulates the voltage supplied to the furnace. A low voltage will cause problems with the furnace’s functionality, usually leading to insufficient heating and air distribution. When the voltage provided through the transformer’s regulation is too high, t…
Summary
- While some noises are considered normal as the furnace starts, you shouldn’t ignore a buzzing sound. It may be related to several electrical problems with the furnace, including faulty wiring and issues with certain electrical components.