Common Furnace Questions: Part 1
Why Is My Furnace Filter Wet?
We all know the importance of HVAC filters. They trap odors, dust, and allergens, blocking them from polluting the air in your home. Replacing filters every 60-90 days ensures your system doesn’t work overtime to circulate air in your home, which can extend your HVAC equipment’s life span and boost efficiency.
If your filter is wet, a clog in the condensation line could be the culprit. A clog in the condensation line causes water to back up, soaking the filter. If your filter is wet, call an HVAC company to diagnose and resolve the issue before replacing the filter. The longer the filter is wet, the higher the risk of mold and mildew developing and going airborne.
Now, how do we handle the problem? The first step would be to call a professional in your area to fix the leak/clog and make sure that no other issues are going on or to catch them before they do. Once a professional has determined the problem, they can show you how to fix or preventative maintenance for the future.
Why Is My Furnace So Loud?
Several problems can cause your furnace to operate loudly. The first step to diagnosing the issue is determining when the furnace starts making the noise. Does the sound occur when the system switches on, during operation, or after it switches off?
One of the easiest things you can do when this happens is to call your friendly heating and cooling company to check it out. These systems can be hard to fix yourself if you are not familiar with them.
- Sometimes it can be just time to change the fan bearing. From time to time, these bearings wear out as the system ages.
- We hope this isn’t the case, but in some instances, oil builds up and causes an ignition delay. What causes this is oil builds up in the firebox and lights simultaneously. This problem is SCARY and extremely dangerous! If this is the case, call a qualified company RIGHT AWAY!
- A whistling noise might be a duct problem. Gaps will form in the duct that connects the duct and the furnace near the blower.
- Check your filter. If it hasn’t been changed in a few months, it can clog, making the fan suck the air in from any crevice or cranny it can find. Remove the filter and see if the whistling stops. If it does, replace the filter ASAP!
- The rattling or vibration sounds are typically one of the more straightforward fixes. Check the ducts to see if they feel loose, and add some screws to tighten them up. If hoses or other equipment seem loose, they can be tightened up with duct tape for a temporary solution.
- If the motor seems to be the issue, you will need to cause an HVAC specialist because the bearing is worn out and needs to be replaced. Sometimes, placing styrofoam under the cage will help with the bouncing until you can schedule an appointment.