My Oil Furnace Is Making Funny Noises!

If you have owned your oil furnace for a while, you’re probably familiar with its normal clicks and whirrs. But sometimes, your furnace will make a sound that isn’t normal – a sound that indicates a problem requiring help from a heating repair professional.

Possible Causes Of Furnace Noises

Here are three issues that could make your furnace “talk” this heating season.

• Dirt and debris – If too much dust and debris gets inside your furnace (often because of a problem with your air filter), it can damage moving parts and make the operation of your furnace noisier overall. A dirty gas burner, for example, will make a low rumbling noise, while poorly lubricated ball bearings will create a high-pitched squeal. Try replacing a dirty air filter (you should examine it every thirty days during the winter) and see if the problem goes away; if not, contact a heating technician.
• A broken furnace motor – An overworked or improperly maintained furnace motor can malfunction or even burn out, resulting in a noticeable humming or whirring noise. If you hear these types of sounds, contact a heating technician right away to avoid a no-heat emergency.
• A problem heating oil pump – An oil-fired furnace has an oil pump, which operates quietly when it’s working properly. But under stress, a pump may whine, rattle, buzz, or make other odd noises, and each noise indicates a different condition within your furnace. An experienced heating technician will recognize these sounds, know what they mean, and know how best to address the problem they represent.

If it sounds bad, call a heating professional – DON’T DIY!

Modern furnaces are complicated pieces of equipment, and tampering with them without proper training can be dangerous: a significant electric shock or exposure to a potentially dangerous build-up of carbon monoxide in your Hudson Valley home are just two potential consequences of improper maintenance. The bottom line: when it comes to repairing a furnace, DON’T DYI!

Want a great way to avoid problems with your oil furnace? Use quality fuel. Just don’t pay more for it than you need to! Order fuel today from Economy Oil – your low-cost oil experts in Dutchess, Columbia, Orange, Sullivan, Delaware, Green, and Ulster counties, NY!