Your furnace works harder and longer during a cold Cincinnati winter, but it shouldn't be making three noises that often signal bigger problems down the line.

Consider these furnace noises a warning sign:

• An improperly adjusted pilot light or dirty burners often trigger a rumbling noise, much like the sound of thunder
• A misaligned blower belt or shaft bearings that badly need oil often create high-pitched squealing noises
• A delayed or sluggish ignition can set off other annoying furnace noises, including grinding, banging or clanking

Just like unusual noises in your car, furnace noises rarely disappear; if anything, they will only get worse. Think of them as a cry for help, and one that should be answered by an expert HVAC contractor.

Your furnace also may be exhibiting some quieter signs of trouble. Set aside some time to visually inspect the furnace, checking that:

• The furnace flame is bright blue, not yellow or light orange. The latter is usually caused by the presence of dirt in the burner, which must be cleaned by a furnace expert.
• There are no "furnace flakes" around the furnace. As by-products of burning gas, these red or rusty flakes are another telltale sign that the burners must be professionally cleaned.
• You don't smell dust when the furnace turns on. A quick puff of dust may mean that it's time to change your furnace filter, which is a task you can do yourself. But a dusty smell that lingers is unusual and may mean that a furnace repair lies in your near future.

Furnace noises also should put you on alert for the presence of carbon monoxide. If you or your loved ones are fighting dizziness, headaches, pain in the ears or flu-like symptoms that subside when you leave your home, don't take chances: Call Tri-County Heating & Cooling without delay.

If you don't have carbon-monoxide detectors in your home, we'll make the case for them to keep your family safe. And we'll silence those pesky furnace noises
to get your furnace back in top working order in a fast, efficient manner, the Tri-County way. For additional information, contact the experts at Tri-County Heating & Cooling. 

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