do I need to be worried about it? We live in a basement apartment and it is in our bathroom. I must admit to having a bad case of icky-machine-a-phobia. I mean, this thing isn't going to like, blow tonight is it?
2006-10-31 11:58:13 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Its a gas furnace.
2006-10-31 12:35:28 · update #1
I don't have access to the thermostat. I should have been more clear. Our heat doesn't come from this heater, only our upstairs neighbors get its heat. We have these funky electical wall mounted dealy bobbers.
2006-10-31 13:06:17 · update #2
Yeah. They have seperate thermostats. Also, I'm pretty sure due to the lack of footsteps or other sounds above me that they are out partying and celebrating halloween, so I can't ask them to turn it off so I can do these things.
2006-10-31 13:18:29 · update #3
It is NOT likely to "blow up" on you.
Since you mention apartment, I assume you are not the owner. I would report this to the owner or rental agent immediately so they can get it fixed! (Most would appreciate your letting them know there is a problem before it becomes major!!)
It is probably the fan motor, and the fan may need to be replaced; or it just may have some crud caught in the fan blades.
2006-10-31 16:50:17 · answer #1 · answered by f100_supersabre 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It amazes me how people can tell you what is wrong with your heating equipment with no knowledge of what kind of equipment it is,, Gas Furnace,,, Gas Boiler. Air Handler with Electric Heat,,, Air Handler connected to a Heat Pump, With back up Electric Heat. Base Board Heater,,, Oil Filled Electric Heater,,, The list goes on and on,, Dear,, can you please update your question and try to describe what kind of heater it is,, and if not,,,, I would suggest you shut it down and get a service tech to trouble shoot the unit... Good luck,, I will look for your update,,,,,,
If it is a gas furnace,,, on the thermostat where it says HEAT OFF COOL,,,,, Turn it to OFF,,,, Then on the fan switch where it says ON or AUTO,,,, Put it on AUTO and see if it is still buzzing,, if so,, it is probably the transformer, and you do not have to worry about that other then a transformer hum is annoying but not dangerous, and can be fixed by replacing the transformer,,,
Now Turn the FAN switch to ON,,, the fan should come on,,, see if it is making the noise,,, YES,,,, NO ??? ,, update again,, we will go from there,,,,
Does each one have its own Thermostat ?
Sounds like you have to wait till they get home,, maybe you should give ur landlord a call, and see if he can come over and look at it tonight,, sure is hard to communicate this way lol
If you have access to the room where the furnace is, you could look for a switch around the furnace and turn it off. Follow any wire or conduit coming from the furnace and look for the switch.
Or you may be able to turn it off at a breaker box
2006-10-31 12:23:57 · answer #2 · answered by Bob G 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The sound you hear is the heating element vibrating, and the element is nothing more than a large coil that looks like a spring, with the coils attached to insulators every 6 inches or so. The chances are either one of the insulators (ceramic) has broken or, more likely, the heating element has pulled loose from one of the insulators.
If it hasn't been buzzing, and has just now started, the buzzing, actually vibrating, will eventually cause the element to burn in two. Since you admit to a severe lack of mechanical ability, I suppose the only thing you can do is hope 'eventually' is more later than sooner. However, if you have a mechanical-minded friend, have him/her UNPLUG the heater, eyeball the element, then carefully probe the element with a pencil or screwdriver, looking for a loose section.
Note: No, it isn't going to blow up. When it goes out, it'll just 'go out'.
2006-10-31 12:16:18 · answer #3 · answered by Stephen C 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not sure with-out being there to hear the sound,but it could be a worn out motor(bearings)--the squirrel cage blower fan wheel could have a problem---the buzzing sound could be a seperate problem>like the motor relay contactor could be loose in its mounting,or needs replacing.If you want to stop it dead -- just follow the thermostat wire from the other apt. coming down into the unit --If these 2 wires are wire-nutted--just take them loose--this kills the 24volts coming through the t-stat wires on to the contactor relay which in turn operates everything. The amount of power in this wire is 24 volts approx. and poses no danger to life per say. You can touch it with your fingers--no problem.If your upstairs neighbor makes too much noise for you--you could always use this ace up your sleeve for a little blackmail to make them quit.
2006-10-31 17:36:38 · answer #4 · answered by Spock 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it is most likely the bearings going out in the motor. It will not blow up no you so you can sleep well tonight. although you may want to call a service technician to come out and replace the motor, as it will soon burn out and no longer provide you with heat.
2006-10-31 12:06:26 · answer #5 · answered by proto_moose 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cicada..... sounds like a enormous fly. Measuring approximately 2 inches in legth. they are sooooo gross. They make that noise to call for mate. while i replaced into residing in jap TN for 2 years, that's what i heard too. a minimum of the birds and bats get a sturdy feeding.
2016-10-21 01:41:19 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
would be best to shut it off and have someone look at it before it does more damage if any.
2006-10-31 12:12:21 · answer #7 · answered by switchplate2003 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋