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- That noise
What is that noise?
Pick the sound that is closest to what you are hearing. You get the usual causes, whether it can wait, and what you can check yourself before anyone visits.
Choose the closest sound
This is a guide, not a diagnosis — the same noise can have more than one cause, and some of them are only visible with the panel off. Nothing is sent anywhere; it runs in your browser.
Stop now
What it usually means
A loud bang or boom when the heat comes on is usually delayed ignition.
Always
Three things that are never worth waiting on
- A smell of gasLeave the building and call the gas company before you call anyone else. Do not use switches on the way out.
- A burning or hot-electrical smellSwitch the system off at the breaker and call. A smell of dust burning off on the first cold day is different — it fades within an hour.
- Water where it should not beA condensate leak above a ceiling does more damage than the fault that caused it. Turn the cooling off first.
