Knowing how to quiet a noisy furnace blower is something every homeowner should look into learning about. Although the furnaces are naturally noisy because of the large blowers and metal compartments, they sometimes get too loud, making it hard to sleep.
If you notice too much noise in your system, check if there are loose parts and replace them. Another reason for the noise could be loose motors, so check and fasten them, and oil the motor parts.
Still, dealing with a loud furnace can be scary, but don’t worry because this is a common problem. Before knowing how to quiet your noisy furnace, you might first want to know the reason for the problem.
Reasons for a Noisy Furnace
Is your heating system humming or whirring all day and night long? The noise can be annoying and disturbing, and it gets scary for homeowners because they don’t know their machine’s fate.
Some of the reasons for these weird noises are:
1. Dirty Filters
When was the last time you checked your filters? If you have not washed them in a long time, they probably are clogged with dust, hair, and dirt, which reduces the efficiency of your machine.
If this is the case, the machine will desperately try to let air through the clogged filters, hence the noise. However, you can take care of this problem. Remove the filters and clean them, or replace them.
Once you sort that problem, check your filters monthly to ensure no clogging. You should also get extra filters for backup in case the current ones get too dirty.
2. Dry Blower Motor
Check the blower motor if your furnace filters are clean, but the noise is still there. This part of the ductwork forces warmed air into your house, and if not lubricated, it can produce annoying screeching sounds.
Apply 2-3 drops of oil to the motor to make running easier. You should also lubricate this part routinely because the noise can lead to bigger problems.
3. Cracked Heat Exchanger
The system struggles to let air in when the furnace filters are dirty. As a result, it causes a strain on some mechanical parts. Due to improper functioning, the machine uses too much heat to run.
A lot of heat is dangerous to your system parts because it causes cracks on the exchanger. Unfortunately, the crack is hard to notice; even worse, it releases carbon monoxide, a dangerous gas.
If you suspect a cracked heat exchanger, switch off your furnace and hire a professional HVAC technician for repairs. They will inspect and check your system’s condition. In addition, ensure you install a carbon monoxide alarm to alert you when the gas leaks.
How to Quiet a Noisy Furnace Blower
Now that you know why your furnace is noisy, you can comfortably quiet it. Although some ways to reduce noise seem straightforward, always consider hiring a professional if you don’t have the skills.
These tips will give you and your family better sleep and peace of mind.
1. Check and Replace Any Loose Parts
Your furnace works hard to blow hot air into the rooms; if there are any loose parts, this can significantly cause noise. Check the belts and bolts and ensure that they are tight.
You can tighten or replace the loose and worn-out bolts. Ensure the screws on the fans are also tight and in place. Also, check all the parts of your system to ensure none is loose.
2. Fasten the Furnace Motors
Loose motors are another major cause of furnace noises, but you can fasten them using screws. Also, check if anything is blocking its rotation because this could be another reason for the noise.
Check everywhere around your furnace motor and fix any loose screws, bolts, and other parts of the engine. Confirm if your current rubber mount and the fastener connecting to the motor are also functioning well.
3. Oil Furnace Motors
Letting your furnace motors run too dry can lead to howling noises. Add some oil to the blower shaft and spin it for the oil to distribute well. Oiling the motors should be a routine because it resolves other noises in your system.
4. Check Your Blower Fan
If the bearings of your furnace motor are not lubricated, they could cause howling noise in the blower fan. As a result, the furnace becomes louder until this problem is fixed. You can lubricate the bearings to reduce the noise and make your house more comfortable. Alternatively, you can replace the entire blower motor.
5. Adjust the Speed of Your Furnace Fan
If the furnace howling is due to the fans, check the current set speed and try to adjust it. For example, if it is on medium, change to a lower speed and notice the changes. You can also increase the furnace fan speed, but ensure you increase it gradually.
6. Clean the Air Ducts
Dirty air ducts are a significant reason for furnace noise because air struggles to get into your system. Check the condition of these ducts to see if there is dirt, dust, and hair blockage. You can remove, wash and dry them, or dispose of the dirty ducts and replace them.
Before doing anything to the dirty ducts, ensure you first turn off the power supply for safety. Dealing with running electricals can cause fatal electric shocks.
7. Fix Damaged Insulation
Damaged insulation causes noise to the furnace as air tries to flow through it. Check to see your machine’s insulation condition and replace it if damaged. Alternatively, use expanding foam to block any crevices on your fan blower. This will prevent air from passing through these tiny spaces, which could be the reason for the noise.
Takeaway
Once you know how to quiet a noisy furnace blower, you will make your home more comfortable to live in. to reduce the chances of having similar problems in the future, wash the filters and schedule yearly maintenance to check for any problems with your system.
