Why is my heating system making noise?

When your car is making a strange noise, it’s typically a sign that something is wrong and you need to see a mechanic. The same goes for heating systems – and the earlier you address a problem, the better. As a homeowner, it’s important to tune in to strange noises – from clanging, banging, squeaking and chirping – to properly maintain the underpinnings of your home.

Different types of noises correlate to different problems. Also, different types of heating systems produce different issues. Know what type of system your home employs and listen carefully to what your heating system is telling you. If possible, record when your heating system is making noise and what those noises are. That way, you can provide comprehensive information when speaking to an HVAC technician.

Let’s explore some issues that are often the root causes of a heating system making noise.

Blower wheel or motor needs replacing. A loud scraping noise that sounds like metal on metal is likely a sign of a blower wheel within a furnace that needs to be replaced. If you hear a noise like this, turn the furnace off immediately and call a licensed HVAC technician, because this is not a problem that you should try to rectify yourself. A furnace with a broken blower wheel will not work properly and can be dangerous.  If the furnace produces a humming sound, that could also signify problems with the blower motor.

Dirty furnace burners. If you hear a loud popping or banging noise after your furnace, turn off your heating system and immediately call an HVAC technician. When dirt builds up on furnace burners, it can cause a delay in the ignition, which then leads to small explosions in the heat exchanger. This is a dangerous problem and often an expensive repair.

Expanding/contracting air ducts. If your house is older and equipped with radiators, then you most likely have steam heat. Steam heat is generally noisy, so it’s often difficult to discern what’s normal and what is cause for concern. Loud, continuous knocking and banging is relatively normal, but it’s also preventable. It’s often indicative of trapped air bubbles in the pipes or expanding and contracting pipes. An HVAC technician will be able to fix both issues so that your heating system operates more quietly.

Gaps in ductwork or clogged filter. If you have a forced hot air system that produces whistling sounds, it could point to a couple of problems: a clogged filter or holes in the ductwork. You can prevent a clogged filter by changing it regularly – the recommended frequency of changing a filter can range from every 6 weeks to 6 months, depending on whether your family members have allergies, pets, or small children. Our heating service club maintenance plan includes a free annual inspection with a filter check.

Belt needs replacing. If you hear a chirping sound coming from a furnace, it could be as innocuous as the system warming up – especially if it hasn’t been run in a while. But a continuous chirping sound could be indicative of a belt that needs to be replaced, especially if the sound worsens over time. An HVAC technician can handle this repair for you.

BE SAFE, NOT SORRY

Overall, it’s better to be safe than sorry. If your heating system is making noise, make an appointment with a licensed HVAC technician to diagnose and repair the issue. HVAC problems are often complicated, and should only be handled by experienced professionals. Additionally, these HVAC issues can quickly become dangerous, and it’s best to err on the side of caution when it comes to your family’s home.

Make a smart thermostat decision

In the middle of a cold, unforgiving winter, a thermostat may be the most crucial device in any New England home. Modern technology provides a wealth of products when it comes to heating controls. Recently, smart thermostats have risen in popularity and have proven to be a valuable choice for homeowners that seek efficiency and convenience.

What is a smart thermostat?

A smart thermostat integrates with WiFi and your smartphone device in order to control your heating system remotely. Like a programmable thermostat, a smart thermostat gives you the option to set up scheduled temperature changes. However, it also takes that capability a step further by allowing you to make changes from anywhere at any time. Smart thermostats can provide information such as external temperature and the length of time your HVAC system has been running. In addition, it can notify you when your air filter needs replacement.

The benefits of a smart thermostat

Convenience is one of the central benefits for most smart thermostat users. Smart thermostats can be particularly helpful when you’re on vacation, at work, or even lazily lounging on your couch. If you’ve ever come home to a chilly or sweltering house, you can understand the benefits of adjusting the temperature from the road. Smart thermostats can also prevent frozen pipes or overheating.

The smart thermostat’s ability to integrate with a smartphone is particularly helpful – especially since the majority of today’s population is constantly within an arm’s reach of their smartphones. Smart thermostats integrate with a smartphone app that makes it easy to manage your home’s temperature with the tap of the screen, and can even provide information on how much you’re spending each month. Some smart thermostats use geotracking technology to turn on your heating or cooling when your phone is in a particular radius of your home.

With a smart thermostat, you can save up to $180 per year on heating and cooling, according to the EPA’s Energy Star program. A smart thermostat can eliminate the unnecessary energy that is expended when you forget to turn off your thermostat as you leave for the day. Many smart thermostats are even equipped with machine learning technology, which means that it gets to know you and your habits, and sets to the most comfortable temperature depending on your schedule. If those savings don’t entice you enough, you can also receive a $100 rebate for your smart thermostat through Mass Save.

Common wire compatibility

A smart thermostat installation can vastly range in complexity, which is why it’s important to enlist the help of an HVAC specialist. For example, some smart thermostats require a common wire, or c wire. And contrary to its name, a common wire isn’t necessarily common – especially in New England, where turn-of-the-century homes have antiquated wiring systems.

To find out which smart thermostats are compatible with your home, your needs and your lifestyle, make an appointment with HomeWiz on our website. Our experts can save you the headache of installing a start thermostat yourself, and ensure that your device is the right fit.