When your furnace room starts making a banging or whistling noise on a rainy Portland night, it can be startling. Unfortunately, these aren’t noises you can simply ignore and hope for the best. If these minor furnace issues aren’t addressed, they can quickly escalate into a catastrophic breakdown.
Some noises don’t require a complete furnace replacement or repair and can be fixed with a DIY solution. By listening to the kind of sound, you can determine if you need to call for emergency furnace repairs right away.
Noises That Usually Indicate a Need for Furnace Repair
If your furnace is making loud noises, pay attention to the type of noise and when the noise happens. While many different sounds can occur, the following noises are an indication that you need to schedule a furnace repair appointment right away.
- High-Pitched Whistling: When you notice a high-pitched whistling noise, it often means that there is some type of airflow issue going on. For example, you may have a blocked vent or a dirty air filter. Often, this type of noise means that there is a minor maintenance fix that needs to be done. By changing the air filter and checking your vents, you can often resolve this problem on your own.
- Rattling: If there are rattling noises, you likely have loose panels or screws somewhere in your system. While you may need a professional to tighten the panel or component involved, the fix won’t require a full furnace replacement.
- Squealing: Often, squealing noises are an indication of dry motor bearings or a slipped belt. In these instances, one of our furnace repair technicians can typically fix the problem in minutes by lubricating or replacing the affected part.
Noises That Might Signal It Is Time for a Furnace Replacement
If you notice any of the following, it means that something major is wrong. Most likely, it’s time to schedule a replacement to upgrade your old furnace.
Loud Booming
When you hear a loud booming or a banging sound in your furnace, it indicates a problem with delayed ignition. This is likely the issue if the booming sound happens when your furnace starts up.
You may have a dirty burner or a compromised heat exchanger, which is leading to the loud noise. If the unit is at least 15 years old, the safety risk is enough to justify getting a replacement immediately.
Metal-on-Metal Scraping
The sound of metal on metal often represents a broken blower wheel or some type of significant motor failure. Especially when you’re dealing with an older unit, the cost of a furnace repair in Portland is likely high enough to make a replacement the more reasonable option.
Constant Humming Without Starting
When your furnace is humming but not starting, it means that there is an electrical failure or a seized motor going on. Depending on the exact component involved, a replacement may represent a better long-term value.
For example, replacing the motor is often expensive enough to make replacements seem relatively affordable.
The “50% Rule” for Repair vs. Replacement
The 50% rule is considered an industry HVAC standard for knowing when to repair or replace a malfunctioning unit. Basically, if the cost of repairs is more than 50% of the cost of getting a new system or the value of the current unit, a replacement will be the smarter financial choice.
However, it’s worth noting that the age of the home and the age of the unit can factor into this equation. Older homes may have more electrical limitations, require more complex installations, or lack ductwork, which can impact where that 50% mark is.
Similarly, how old your unit is will impact the decision. While a 15-year-old unit is more likely to need fresh repairs right away, a brand-new furnace has plenty of life left in it after the repairs are done.
Why Portland Homeowners Trust Central Air for Honest Diagnosis
Whether your furnace is blowing cold air or you’re concerned about gas furnace safety, there’s one team you can trust with all of your furnace repairs and replacements. Local residents turn to Central Air Heating, Cooling & Plumbing for a few key reasons.
- No Pressure Sales: If your heater breaks down in the middle of a snowstorm, you don’t want to worry about feeling pressured into an unnecessary repair. Our team will assess the noise and give you clear options. We never push residents to replace furnaces if a repair can extend the unit’s lifespan.
- Local Expertise: We specialize in dealing with the unique heating challenges of the Pacific Northwest. Because of this, we stock the parts and equipment needed for the area’s most popular local brands.
- Safety First: Our team prioritizes your safety. Besides our extensive inspections, we also check for carbon monoxide leaks on every visit to ensure the safety of your family.
FAQs: Furnace Repair and Replacement
To help you navigate your next furnace replacement or repair, we’ve compiled some of the most frequently asked questions that we hear.
How do I know if my furnace is too old to repair?
While scheduling furnace maintenance in Portland can help you extend the lifespan of your furnace, even well-maintained furnaces will eventually reach the end of their lifespan. In most cases, furnaces will last for around 15 to 20 years if they are properly cared for. Once the furnace reaches 15 years old, the cost-benefit analysis of performing repairs on an obsolete unit will start to make getting a replacement the best course of action.
Can a loud furnace be dangerous?
Absolutely. For example, loud booming or banging noises are common signs of gas ignition issues. Because of the major risk involved, it’s essential to immediately call for furnace repair services. Our experienced technicians can quickly evaluate your unit to determine if repairs are needed.
Do you offer quotes for getting a replacement?
Yes, we always provide upfront estimates before we do any work. When we come out for a repair call, we’ll carefully evaluate the underlying issue. If it looks like your system is at the end of its lifespan, we will create a replacement estimate that covers the entire cost.
Most people don’t have a line item in their budget for unexpected HVAC replacements. Because of this, we do everything we can to provide transparent pricing and flexible financing options so that you can get the HVAC services you need.
Get help diagnosing your furnace’s unusual noises by giving us a call today.
