If you’re a home owner, you’ve likely found yourself thinking, “why does my furnace make a loud noise?” on many occasions. There are many different types of furnace noises you might encounter, from clicking and popping noises to humming and buzzing sounds. Certain sounds only happen when your furnace starts up, while others occur during regular use. Though some of these sounds are part of your furnace’s normal operation, they can be indicators of both minor and major problems.

The exact cause of these strange – and often annoying – noises can vary depending on the model, condition, and age of your furnace. However, by listening carefully to the sounds made by your HVAC equipment, you can discover clues as to where the noises are coming from and what might be creating them.

In this article, we’ll explore a number of the most common furnace noises you might be experiencing and their potential causes.

Furnace Makes Loud Noise When Igniting

If your gas furnace is making a loud noise when starting (such as a “boom” or “bang” sound), there are typically two main culprits.

The first is a fairly minor problem, which is caused when your furnace starts up the metal ductwork in your HVAC system expands as air begins to move through it. This is the same reason that you might experience your furnace making a knocking noise. We recommend replacing your air filter, opening heat registers around your home and having your ducts cleaned to minimize the noise. If this does not resolve the noise issue when turning on your furnace, it is best to call in a professional to find a solution.

The second cause of loud noises when your furnace ignites is delayed gas ignition. This is a much more serious issue. In this scenario, gas has time to build up in the furnace before it is ignited, causing a much larger “boom” than expected when the gas is ignited immediately. This can result in damage to your furnace’s heat exchanger, which can be very costly to repair. Entrust the troubleshooting of this issue to a pro for your personal safety.

Furnace Fan Noise

One of the top sounds experienced by home owners is the furnace blower fan making noise. When your furnace fan is making noise, it may be dirty or dusty and in need of a good cleaning. While this is an easy way to start diagnosing your furnace fan noise, there are several other causes of fan sounds. A loose drive belt could be causing the fan to operate improperly and make excessive noise as it spins unevenly. If you feel comfortable, you can replace the belt with a new one as indicated in your furnace manual.

Should you notice a furnace exhaust fan noise, it is important to address the problem as soon as possible. This furnace component draws toxic exhaust fumes created by the fuel source (natural gas or oil) out of your home, so it is critical that it functions correctly. While you can examine the exhaust fan for dirt and debris or a loose fan belt, we recommend that a professional diagnose your furnace exhaust fan noise and repair it immediately.

Furnace Clicking Noise

A furnace making a clicking noise while operating normally can indicate a couple of different problems. First, the motor bearings or other smaller-sized parts within your furnace could be moving during operation. Second, the furnace’s inducer fan may make a clicking sound as it operates, especially if it is loose or clogged with dust or debris. Regular furnace maintenance can help prevent these types of issues and reduce annoying clicking sounds.

If a furnace makes a clicking noise when starting, you may be dealing with a more serious ignition system malfunction. Your pilot light may not be working properly and can fail to ignite altogether, making clicking sounds as it attempts to spark a flame.

This furnace popping noise can also be the result of a clogged ignitor or clogged gas valve, both of which can indicate major problems. Your furnace’s flame sensor could also be sensing a problem in your system, shutting off the gas at startup for safety reasons. We highly recommend that you allow a professional to troubleshoot these issues, which can be very dangerous for DIY-ers to handle on their own.

Furnace Blower Motor Noise

Furnace blower motor rattling noises can become annoying fast. When your furnace blower is making noise like humming, screeching, or thumping, it can be a sign of wear or damage. You may be dealing with a bad belt, a problem with the motor bearings or even a broken part. No matter what type of noise you hear, it is best to shut your furnace down right away so you can look for the cause.

Furnace blower noise reduction is one of the top concerns of our customers. Sometimes, there is nothing really wrong with your blower motor, it is just too loud for your liking! In this case, a furnace repair expert can examine the blower motor and find a solution for reducing the noise without compromising the efficiency of your equipment.

Furnace Humming Noise

Is your furnace making a loud noise while running? Humming sounds are one of the primary concerns of home owners dealing with a noisily running furnace. When your furnace is making a humming noise, there are several components that may be the source:

• A Worn or Failing Motor – Motor failure is the likely cause if you notice a humming sound appear suddenly. This is a sign that your furnace is about to stop working, so call a furnace repair technician as soon as possible.
• Loose Ductwork – As air passes through your HVAC system, it can vibrate the ducts and cause a humming sound. Try securing the joints between ducts with extra sheet metal screws and duct tape, or use additional straps to secure ductwork to your joists.
• Electrical Transformer – As electrical current moves through your furnace’s transformer, it can make a humming noise that can be loud, but not dangerous. If you wish, you can try tightening the bolts that secure it to attempt to reduce the humming sound.
• Loose Parts – Over time, components can become loose from vibrations, resulting in your furnace making a loud humming noise. Check that all screws are secure and bolts are tightened.

Furnace Buzzing Noise

A furnace vibration noise is often caused by an unbalanced blower motor. If your furnace is making a loud buzzing noise, it may be the result of an off-kilter blower. Check the blower motor and fan for obstructions or excessive dust and clear them away. A buzzing sound can also indicate a failing blower motor, so be sure to have an HVAC technician take a look at it if you are concerned.

A furnace buzzing noise when running could also be caused by loose access panels or components of your furnace’s housing. While the furnace is running, these loose parts can vibrate excessively, creating an annoying buzzing sound. This issue can be resolved by tightening all screws that secure the access doors to the exterior of the furnace.

As mentioned above, you may hear a buzzing-type sound coming from the transformer box located near your furnace. This is completely normal, but you can check to see that it is securely mounted to reduce the buzzing noise and prevent future damage to the transformer box.

Furnace Making High-Pitched Noise

Hearing a high-pitched noise when your furnace is running? Start by looking at the blower speed. Many modern furnace models allow you to adjust the speed of the blower fan, which may eliminate the sound you’re experiencing. Contact an HVAC specialist to adjust this setting for you.

You could also be hearing a high-pitched whistling sound from your air vents. This is caused by low return air flow, meaning that your furnace’s blower is struggling to pull in air. To resolve this problem, you can replace or clean your dirty air filter, check for blocked or dusty air return vents throughout your home, and open any supply vents that are closed. You may also need your ductwork cleaned and checked for any large debris by a professional duct cleaning company.

Furnace Draft Inducer Blower Noise

Furnace draft inducer blowers push air and gases out of your furnace and towards outside, improving the quality of the air that moves through your furnace. A furnace inducer motor noise can be one of the main problems home owners experience with this component, which is mostly found in newer, high-efficiency furnaces.

If you hear noises coming from your draft inducer blower, it likely needs total replacement. This part is unfortunately difficult to rebuild, so your best option is to have a new unit ordered and replaced by a professional.

Furnace Making Grinding Noise

A furnace making a grinding noise is definite cause for concern. Loud grinding or scraping sounds can indicate that metal is rubbing against metal somewhere within your furnace. The most common cause of this noise is a problem with the fan or blower wheel rubbing against other interior parts. A part is most likely broken or loose and must be replaced. Another cause of a grinding sound could be worn bearings, which require inspection and lubrication. Keep in mind that not all of today’s furnace motors require oiling, so check your manual.

If you hear a grinding sound, shut off your furnace immediately to prevent any further damage. Next, call an HVAC repair company for help in diagnosing and repairing the damaged components.

How to Reduce Furnace Noise

If you’re left wondering how to reduce furnace noise for good, it’s time to call in a professional. Furnace noise reduction can be achieved through any number of repairs or adjustments, but an expert must first correctly diagnose the problem.

Didn’t see an explanation for your mysterious furnace noise above? Our trained technicians are highly skilled in determining the source of your furnace noises and repairing or replacing necessary components to get your furnace running quietly again. If you’re tired of your noisy furnace, give Evam Canada a call today at 1-905-624-5544, or contact us online to schedule a repair appointment.

The furnace ignition control module is an essential part of your furnace. It provides power to the furnace blower, and is more reliable than the standing pilot light that is found in older gas furnace models. Because it uses an electronically-controlled ignition to light the burners, it is more energy efficient and generally safer.

However, this does not mean that it is not susceptible to problems. Electronic ignition failure is very common and can prevent your furnace from turning on. Use the following furnace ignition control module troubleshooting tips to help you identify some of the most common gas furnace ignition problems.

First, let’s take a look at the two most common electronic ignition systems:

Intermittent Pilot (IP)
In furnaces with intermittent plot systems, the pilot only ignites the burner gas when the thermostat calls for heat. With this type of furnace, your ignition may not spark at all. Or, perhaps the spark happens but does not light the pilot. Sometimes, the pilot will light but not ignite the burner.

Hot Surface Ignitors (HSI)
In furnaces that use hot surface igniters, electricity passes through a filament and heats up, eventually igniting the gas for the burner. However, this part can malfunction over time due to normal wear, damage due to improper handling, or a too-high electrical current in your home.

Furnace Ignition Control Module Troubleshooting
Modern furnaces feature a circuit board to control the ignition process as well as many of the other complex processes within your heating equipment. An advantage of these circuit boards is that they can often give you clues as to the source of your furnace problem. The circuit board may use LED lights to indicate a specific error code that you can then reference in your furnace manual to troubleshoot problems.

A few simple things to check out include:

• Turn the igniter off and wait a few minutes before turning it back on to see if the issue is resolved.
• Examine your furnace filter. A badly clogged filter can cycle your furnace ignition on and off repeatedly, leading to malfunction.
• Dirty filters, clogged ductwork or a plugged flue can cause limit switches to open when there is excessive heat buildup.
• Look at the ignition cable to ensure that there are no cracks or breaks, and the connections are clean and secure.

There are many things that can happen during the process of igniting your furnace that can cause the system to fail. From failure to light the pilot to defective sensors and bad blower wheels, any issue will signal to the circuit board that it is not safe to start the furnace. Often, replacing your furnace ignition control module is the solution. If you’ve tried the above furnace ignition control module troubleshooting tips and have not been able to resolve the problem, it’s time to call an expert.

The team at Evam Canada is available to diagnose and repair your furnace problems quickly and effectively with our emergency furnace repair services. Contact us today to schedule a service appointment.

Have you discovered that your Carrier furnace isn’t working properly? Don’t panic. Instead, focus on diagnosing the issue with these handy Carrier furnace troubleshooting tips. Once you’ve identified the source of the problem, you can then perform a DIY fix or call in a professional to make the necessary repairs.

Follow these Carrier furnace troubleshooting steps to determine the root of your furnace problem:

1. Make Sure the Furnace is On
   This might seem like obvious advice, but it’s still worth investigating just in case. Check to see that your thermostat is set to “heat” and is set higher than the current temperature in your home. Next, check that the circuit breaker to the furnace is on. Finally, the power switch for your furnace should be set to “on” as well.
2. Make Sure Everything is Clean
   Dirt, dust and debris can quickly become the enemy of your furnace and your entire HVAC system if not kept at bay. Start by checking your furnace filter, and clean or replace it so your unit receives maximum airflow. Also check the return air vents around your home, ensuring they are not blocked by furniture or excessive dust.
3. Listen for Unusual Noises
   Abnormal sounds like furnace vibration noises, furnace exhaust fan noises, rattling or banging can signal a serious problem with your equipment that needs attention right away. If you notice any of these sounds, turn the furnace off immediately and call a furnace repair professional.
4. Look for a Diagnostic LED

Many Carrier furnace models feature a small LED screen that shows error codes to help you diagnose the source of the problem. If you see an error code, reference your furnace manual or perform some online research to determine its meaning. To find more information about your furnace, look up your model on the Carrier website.

5. Call a Professional
   In some cases, your Carrier furnace troubleshooting requires the assistance of an expert. If you’ve tried the above troubleshooting tips with no success, or you’ve discovered an error code with a fix that’s beyond your level of expertise, we highly recommend getting in touch with a repair specialist.

Remember that you can’t neglect the key furnace maintenance tasks that will keep your Carrier furnace running smoothly all year around. To prevent issues from the start, we recommend that you undertake both DIY furnace cleaning measures in addition to having a professional regularly service your furnace.

Need an expert to help with your Carrier furnace troubleshooting? The trained technicians at Evam Canada are available to assist with all types of Carrier furnace issues. Whether you are experiencing a minor malfunction or complete shutdown of your HVAC equipment, you can trust our team to handle your repairs with a high level of professionalism.

To schedule an appointment with one of our furnace repair specialists, call Evam today at 1-905-624-5544!