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.

If it ain’t broke, why fix it?

The process of rebranding a company –especially one that’s been established for 25 years—is never easy. So why go through the hassle at all? The bottom line is that our customers’ opinions mean everything to us. We wanted our brand to reflect our dedication to service, and to show that our family cares. We are a family owned and operated business after all, and we put in an immense amount of attention and detail to each job that we complete.

We wanted to apply that same attention and detail to our brand.

A mug featuring our new HomeWiz mascot

To help with the rebranding process, we hired 36 Creative — an agency based in Salem, New Hampshire — simply because they too, understand that brands matter a great deal. Trent Sanders led the project and assured us that the process would be done right. Their team delivered, and now we have a comprehensive, visually appealing and creative brand that represents who we are and what we do. Our ‘home wiz,’ a cheery guy with a cap and glasses, is a reflection of who we aspire to be: industry experts, but with a supportive and positive attitude – the epitome of good customer service.

Next, we needed to spread the word about our new brand. Direct Printing and Graphics – a printing and promotions company based out of Wells, Maine – was essential in that journey. Bill and Lindsey Hery ensured that we had the right selection when it came to

The HomeWiz, 36 Creative, and Direct Printing and Graphics teams

everything from hats and t-shirts to mugs and pencils. It didn’t hurt that they’re a family owned and operated business too – they recognized our challenges and goals when it came to marketing our new look.

As the process draws to a close, we’re happy to say that we’re completely satisfied with our new brand. It’s clean, creative, and modern – but most importantly, we believe that it represents who we are: a company that cares. Stay tuned for more updates on our new journey as HomeWiz.   

Our new HomeWiz merchandise