Look For Same Day Service(816) 327-1709

KB Complete

PROVIDING PLUMBING, HVAC, & ELECTRICAL SERVICE IN THE KANSAS CITY AREA FOR 30+ YEARS! WE’RE “A COMPANY YOU CAN REFER TO A FRIEND!”

Sophia Schooler

The Furnace Is Making a Banging Noise – Should I Be Worried?

by

The Furnace Is Making a Banging Noise – Should I Be Worried?

Is your gas furnace making a loud banging or thumping noise when you turn it on? If so, you know exactly how concerning those noises can be!

At Minnick’s, we commonly receive calls from homeowners describing startling noises coming from their heating systems.

It’s no fun worrying that something is wrong with your heating system – and that’s why we’re here. We want to give you the peace of mind you deserve when it comes to heating your house. Let’s dive right in!

There are several things that can cause your furnace to make a loud banging sound when it turns on, but typically, your furnace is most likely experiencing what is known as a delayed ignition.  In this article, we will cover everything you need to know about delayed ignition and what you need to do to fix it and protect your system and home from damage.

Defective Ignitor

https://kbcomplete.com/

Are you hearing a banging or booming when your furnace burner cycles on? Learn the cause (and what you can do about it), so you can get back to binging Netflix in peace.

Delayed ignition. When everything is in working order, your pilot flame or electric ignitor will ignite gas flow from the burner the instant your thermostat opens the gas valve. Even the slightest delay causes a puff of unburned flammable gas to stay in your furnace’s combustion chamber.

When that cloud lights up behind schedule, loud sounds radiate throughout your metal furnace. The sound is amplified as it bumps along through your ductwork.

You now know why it sounds like there’s a rogue drummer running loose in your ductwork. However, you may be wondering what’s causing the delayed ignition in the first place.

Here are the common reasons why furnace ignitions get delayed:

  • Defective ignitor
  • Weak flame on pilot light
  • Burner malfunction
  • Low gas pressure

The Fix

You’ll need to first narrow down why your ignitor is delayed before correcting the problem. Going through the checklist may require shutting down the furnace wall control to safely access wires and valves in the control panel. Get an expert to help you get a quick answer safely.

The good news is that the same problem that’s causing the banging and booming may actually be making your furnaces less efficient. You might have a lower energy bill to look forward to after the right part is cleaned, readjusted, or replaced during a furnace repair call.

Expanding & Contracting Ductwork

https://kbcomplete.com/heating-services/furnace-repair-cost-near-mission-kansas/

 

You’ve just fallen asleep when a loud banging sound wakes you from your slumber. You drift back into dreamland a bit later, only to be awoken again. What is the cause of these awful intermittent furnace noises?

Why It’s Happening

Blame this one on expanding and contracting ductwork. It happens because of positive and negative pressure caused by heated and cooled air being pulled through your ducts.

The Fix

While intermittent banging and booming won’t necessarily cause problems, there are fixes if the sounds are disruptive. The first is to fortify the flimsy sheet metal used for most ductwork with heavy-gauge ductwork that has more stability in extreme temperatures. The second is to have round ductwork installed in place of hard edges for smoother expansion and contraction.

Do you have mice in your walls or a banshee in your backyard? Nope, that’s just your furnace making a horrible high-pitched, whistle-like squeal. But don’t worry, there’s an easy solution.

Why It’s Happening

Unlike a dry squeal that just means a bearing or belt is worn, high-pitched squealing usually means an airflow issue. What you’re hearing is your furnace’s blower struggling to take in enough air.

Here’s why your blower might be struggling with air intake:

The Fix

Check that vents are open without obstruction. Next, replace your air filter.

Blower Motor

(816) 327-1709

 

Last but certainly not least on our list of problematic furnace noises is humming. If you’re hearing a constant humming or low-frequency buzzing, you can be semi-certain your home is not under attack by rabid hummingbirds. However, it may mean your furnace is failing, and you should have it looked at ASAP.

Why It’s Happening

While buzzing is one of the more low-key furnace sounds, it often ends up being the most serious. Humming often means a major electrical component of your furnace is failing.

This includes:

  • Blower motor
  • Blower motor capacitor
  • Inducer motor
  • Transformer

The Fix

Consider this an electrical problem that requires caution. Bring in a furnace pro to carefully look for faulty or aging electrical furnace components.

 

How Often Should You Get a Furnace Serviced?

by

When we tell people how frequently a gas furnace should be serviced, they are often surprised. As a general rule, our experts at KB Complete recommend furnace maintenance in the fall to ensure that it is running as safely and efficiently as possible—and to help prevent many of the common problems that can occur with gas furnaces in the winter. When the cold winter months arrive in Mission, KS, we all want to stay nice and warm, and turning on a furnace you can rely on is at the top of most homeowners’ priority lists.

Common Problems When a Furnace Isn’t Serviced

Many problems we see when we examine furnaces could have been prevented with regular service. In fact, most no-heat calls from customers are a direct result of them neglecting proper furnace maintenance. As experts in the field, we can assure you that in those cases, most, if not all, customers could have saved money on preventative maintenance instead of unnecessary repairs. Here are the three most common (and preventable) furnace problems we encounter:

  1. Dirty filters—if your filter is clogged up with dust and debris, your furnace will have to work much harder than it should to warm your home.
  2. A cracked heat exchanger—one of the more dangerous problems is a crack in your heat exchanger, as it could cause your furnace to leak toxins like carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and soot into your home. (This is often caused by a clogged filter.)
  3. A faulty pilot light—this is sometimes caused by a clog in the pilot opening or the gas valve isn’t open all the way. When something is wrong with the pilot light, trust the professionals to fix it.

When and How Often Should I Have My Furnace Serviced?

A gas furnace should be serviced at least once a year, but ideally during both the spring and fall. Annual maintenance, which includes a thorough examination and cleaning of parts that frequently fail, such as the air filter, fan, pilot light, and heat exchanger, can usually prevent significant problems from occurring. If you take the proper steps to prevent these issues, you will easily save money as well as stress by avoiding unnecessary repair costs. Contact our experts at KB Complete to thoroughly inspect your unit and make a professional assessment. We are experts in exceptional furnace maintenance.

The Benefits of Annual Maintenance

Most experts in the field will strongly recommend having your furnace serviced at least annually to ensure it remains in good working condition. Following this guideline will not only keep you warm during the coldest months of the year, but it will also provide other important benefits, including saving money on costly (and avoidable) repair expenses, increasing energy efficiency, reducing monthly energy bills, and extending the life of your furnace and entire HVAC system. With all these benefits, why wouldn’t you contact KB Complete today to schedule your annual furnace maintenance exam?

Put Your Trust in the Best Professionals Available

When it comes to the care of your home and all its appliances, you need to put your trust in the best company available. You want the most capable professionals and the best deal on the market. Call KB Complete at (816) 207-3504 today and we will discuss your options and give you a fair, honest quote to help you make your decision. You’ll be granted peace of mind when our experts examine your unit, administer quality maintenance and repair services, and give it our seal of approval. You’ll be guaranteed a safe, warm, and comfortable home to get you through the cold winter months ahead. Call now!