There’s no denying that when you live somewhere like the Emerson area, you need a quality heating system in place. Not only that, but you need to make sure it’s well-maintained. This means scheduling professional tune-ups for your heater each year–twice a year if you’re using a year-round heat pump system. Tune-ups help your heater work as effectively and efficiently as possible for as long as possible. Plus, tune-ups can help prevent up to 85% of the repairs a furnace or heating system may ever need in its lifetime! This is because, during your tune-up, we’ll alert you to small repair needs so you can take care of them before they turn into larger emergencies.
Of course, that doesn’t mean that repair needs will never crop up between maintenance appointments, and it’s important to know the signs of a heater in disrepair so you can get it fixed ASAP. One of these signs is strange noises coming from the system. But, what noises constitute “strange?” Read on to find out!
A Loud “Boom” or “Bang” at System Startup
We’ll begin with the noise that usually scares homeowners the most–a loud “bang” or “boom” coming from their gas-powered furnace, which should be especially concerning. If you hear a banging happening consistently instead of only when the furnace starts up, then it could be a “minor” issue with your ductwork or the sheet metal siding of the furnace expanding and contracting. This can be due to poor installation or just old age.
If it is only happening at startup, though, then you do have reason to be alarmed. The sound is likely coming due to a dirty furnace burner. This sounds benign, right? But what’s happening is that there is a layer of grime or dirt allowing gas to build up under it, then it “bursts” through, as you start up your furnace. You’re essentially allowing small explosions to occur inside your heater, which can rattle the heat exchanger. If the heat exchanger is damaged, then there is a risk of carbon monoxide exposure in your home, which can be a really serious problem.
Squealing
Any squealing sound you hear coming from your furnace or other heating system may be the result of a lack of lubrication, or a blower fan belt that has worn down. These things are a relatively easy fix for our professionals, however, it doesn’t mean you should wait to have them fixed. If you let any small problem go on, it can turn into a much bigger and more expensive problem.
It’s always better to have your heater repaired at the first sign of an issue rather than wait on it and end up calling for emergency repairs.
Rumbling
If you hear rumbling, then we urge you to check the flame of your furnace. You should check and ensure that it’s blue rather than yellow or orange. If it is discolored, that rumbling sound is likely attributed to a carbon monoxide leak, and it’s time to call us.
These are just a few of the sounds you should be concerned about. At the end of the day, if your heating system is making any noises you’ve never heard before, it’s worth reaching out to our team.
DB Heating & Cooling, Inc serves the heating and cooling needs of customers throughout Rockland County, NY as well as Bergen County, NJ and surrounding communities. You can count on us for expert services. Contact us today for professional furnace repair in Emerson, NJ!