If you have a failing furnace, then you have an emergency on your hands. As we all know, the winters here in Winnipeg can be brutal, and you rely on your furnace to ensure that your home isn’t just comfortable, but it’s also safe for you and your family. That said, furnaces do fail from time to time, and it is inevitable that your furnace will require repairs or a full replacement at some point. So, how do you ensure that you aren’t left out in the cold? Well, as Winnipeg’s authority on furnace repairs, maintenance, installations, and replacements, we know a thing or two about what can go wrong with your furnace and HVAC system. Here are a few signs of a failing furnace that you can keep an eye out for — and of course, if you happen to encounter any of these problems, you can reach out to us right away for the solutions.
ODD NOISES FROM YOUR FURNACE
While your furnace will make some noise as it clicks on and off, it shouldn’t make a racket. Now, before we get started, let’s go over a few of the noises that you may hear which are completely normal. First of all, you may actually hear your furnace click as it turns on. This is the ignition system igniting the source flame to get your furnace hot. You will also hear a small whoosh sound when the gas ignites in your furnace as it turns on. In addition, you should hear your blower fan come on, and you may hear some minor pops and cracks throughout your ventilation system as the system expands due to the heat.
Okay, now that we’ve covered the normal noises of your heating system, let’s assess some of those troublesome noises. First and foremost, you should be wary of multiple clicks from your furnace. This may be an indication that your ignition system is malfunctioning, which can be hazardous. If this is the case, and your furnace doesn’t ignite, you may smell gas — you should turn off the gas source to your furnace right away, let the gas dissipate and assess the problem or call a professional.
You may also hear a rattling noise coming from your furnace. This noise is an indication that a part has become detached in or around your furnace. Your furnace may still operate, but a loose component is liable to fall or fail at any time, which can shut down your furnace or hinder its efficiency. Again, contact an HVAC professional if you notice rattling and cannot locate or fix the problem yourself.
When those rattling noises turn into loud bangs, then a component is completely loose and your furnace may be dangerous to operate. Shut down the gas and furnace, and call a professional to take a look. Banging noises may also be caused by dirty burners in your furnace. If this is the case, then your furnace may undergo a gas buildup every time that you turn it on — and once the ignition source creates a flame, a small explosion will cause this loud bang (and that’s an obvious danger). An HVAC technician may be able to clean or replace the burner to remedy the situation. If you allow these small explosions to continue, then you are placing your furnace at risk of damaging the heat exchanger, and you may create a dangerous gas leak.
If you hear loud banging noises throughout your duct system every time your furnace starts running, then you may have any number of problems. You may have a clogged air filter, you may have ducts that are insufficient in size, or you may have a blockage that is creating pressure throughout the system. Get in touch with an HVAC professional if you can’t locate the source of the issue yourself.
