Furnace Making Loud Noise? Here’s What You Need To Know
What happens when your furnace starts making loud noises? Your furnace works hard, quietly providing the warmth your family relies on to stay safe and comfortable during the winter months. Tucked away in your basement, it hums along, mostly out of sight and out of mind. A soft rumble or whisper from your vents is often the only sign it’s working hard to keep your home cozy.
But sometimes when a furnace starts to wear down or suffers a mechanical fault, the noises that the unit makes will sound unfamiliar and concerning. Strange or unfamiliar sounds can be alarming and might indicate that something is wrong. The good news is that these noises can provide valuable clues about the condition of your furnace.
At Baumann & DeGroot, our expert furnace repair technicians specialize in diagnosing and fixing loud noises coming from furnaces. Below, we’ll walk you through the most common sounds and what they might mean:
Common Furnace Noises and Their Causes
Thumping
If your furnace is making a loud thumping noise, it might remind you of a lopsided load in a washing machine. This sound often points to an unbalanced blower wheel or a misaligned motor. While an unbalanced blower wheel is usually a quick and affordable fix, it’s essential to address it promptly. Ignoring it can lead to further damage to components like the motor or housing.
Squealing
A high-pitched squealing noise coming from your furnace is usually caused by parts—like bearings or belts—rubbing together without proper lubrication. This friction not only creates annoying sounds but can also cause damage over time. Most modern furnace motors use sealed bearings, so if you hear squealing, it’s often a sign that the motor needs to be replaced.
Booming
It’s normal to hear a soft “whoosh” when your furnace turns on. However, if your furnace is making a loud booming noise, it could indicate a problem. Booming is often caused by carbon buildup on the burners, which creates delayed ignition. Regular maintenance, such as an annual furnace tune-up, can prevent this issue and keep your system running efficiently.
In some cases, booming may also come from ductwork buckling due to changes in air pressure when the blower motor starts or stops. Replacing your air filter regularly can help minimize this issue.
What To Do If Your Furnace Is Making Loud Noise
If your furnace is making loud noises, don’t ignore the warning signs. These sounds are often the first indication of mechanical issues that, if left unaddressed, can lead to costly repairs or even a complete furnace breakdown.
Here’s what you should do:
- Listen closely to the sound your furnace is making. Is it thumping, squealing, booming, or something else?
- Take action quickly to prevent further damage.
- Call Baumann & DeGroot Heating and Cooling for a professional diagnosis and repair. Our experienced technicians can identify the issue and restore your furnace to quiet, efficient operation.
Schedule Furnace Repair with Baumann & DeGroot
When your furnace is making loud noises, you can count on the team at Baumann & DeGroot to get to the bottom of the problem. Whether it’s a thump, squeal, or boom, we’ve heard it all before—and we know how to fix it.
Don’t let furnace noise disrupt your peace (or your comfort). Call Baumann & DeGroot today at (616)396-4328 or schedule online.
