Banging, Screeching and Rattling: What 6 Typical Furnace Noises Indicate

October 13, 2020

When your furnace is working like it should, it should provide warm air without creating too much noise. While it’s normal to catch your furnace making noise as it begins running, other sounds are showing your furnace requires immediate professional support.

Here are some of the most reported furnace noises and what they might be signaling. If your furnace is making an atypical noise, our friendly heating professionals are here to fix the problem with the best furnace repair in Marshalltown, IA.

1. Furnace Making a Banging Noise

You might have a critical situation on your hands if you’re hearing your furnace making a banging noise. If your furnace is making a knocking noise, it may mean there could be a couple of problems. These range from gas increasing in your furnace or a ductwork situation.

Banging Sounds Coming from Your Furnace

Your heating system gets filthy as time passes, so that’s why it’s essential to schedule seasonal furnace maintenance with Kapaun & Brown Inc.. One of the jobs our professionals do during this work is clean your furnace’s burners. When this part gets grimy, you might hear your furnace making a loud rumbling noise after ignition is delayed. The resulting gas buildup may fracture your furnace’s heat exchanger, where natural gas turns into warmth. Any cracks in it can discharge carbon monoxide, which is ordinarily vented outdoors. This dangerous gas can be fatal in large concentrations.

If you’re hearing banging or knocking sounds coming from your furnace, Kapaun & Brown Inc. recommends turning it off and reaching us at 641-812-2028. Significant natural gas in your furnace or a fractured heat exchanger are hazardous problems that necessitate immediate repairs.

Banging Sounds Coming from Your Ductwork

Your furnace relies on ductwork to provide heated air across your house. If the ductwork wasn’t put in right or is getting dated, it can be noisy when your furnace runs. This might be the problem if your furnace makes a banging noise when it shuts off. Call Kapaun & Brown Inc. at 641-812-2028 and we’ll determine the problem.

2. Furnace Making a Buzzing Noise

If you observe your furnace making a buzzing noise, don’t delay calling us. A buzzing sound frequently means there’s an electrical issue, like with its transformer, blower motor or capacitor.

Your furnace relies on an internal transformer to operate on the proper voltage. If wires or the box isn’t tight enough, you may detect a low humming noise in the furnace when off. Your furnace also works with a blower motor, which distributes warm or cold air across your rooms, and a capacitor, which triggers the motor. If either of these parts are going out, they will buzz when the furnace switches on.

3. Furnace Making a Rattling Noise

If your furnace is making a rattling noise, it can be related to something small, like an unfastened screw, or something serious, like a broken component. In either case, we advise shutting your furnace off and contacting our heating pros at 641-812-2028 for help.

4. Furnace Making a Squealing Noise

If your furnace makes a high-pitched noise, like squealing, when it’s heating, it’s trying to get your attention it needs some TLC. If you’ve skipped furnace maintenance recently, belts could be worn down or a bearing may need to be greased. We know that maintenance often slips your mind, but our pros can get your furnace heating quietly again fast.

5. Furnace Making a Whistling Noise

When you’re noticing your furnace making a whistling noise, it’s frequently because of an air leak in your ductwork. You might also notice whistling while the furnace is working if a floor vent isn’t tight. If you’ve examined your vents but are still noticing noise, Kapaun & Brown Inc. can help. It’s important to get loose ductwork repaired fast, as it can create comfort troubles in your home and drive up your utility expenses.

6. Furnace Making a Grinding Noise

It’s not a positive sign if you notice your furnace making a grinding noise. This metal-on-metal racket frequently means there’s an issue with your furnace’s blower. Switch off your furnace off right away and contact our pros at 641-812-2028 for support.

When you’re getting an uncommon noise from your furnace, Kapaun & Brown Inc. is available to support you. Contact us at 641-812-2028 to schedule your furnace repair appointment today.