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

October 13, 2020

When your furnace is working correctly, it should deliver warmth without making too much disruption. While it’s normal to notice your furnace making noise as it begins running, other sounds are signaling your furnace should get immediate professional help.

Here are some of the most common furnace noises and what they could be indicating. If your furnace is making a weird noise, our friendly heating professionals are here to assist with the best furnace repair in Marshalltown, IA.

1. Furnace Making a Banging Noise

You might have an urgent problem on your hands if you’re detecting your furnace making a banging noise. If your furnace is making a knocking noise, it may mean there could be a few problems. These range from gas accumulating in your furnace or a ductwork issue.

Banging Sounds Coming from Your Furnace

Your heating system becomes grimy as time passes, so that’s why it’s important to schedule yearly furnace maintenance with B & G HVAC. One of the jobs our pros complete during this appointment is clean your furnace’s burners. When this part gets dirty, you might hear your furnace making a loud rumbling noise when ignition is delayed. The ensuing gas buildup can fracture your furnace’s heat exchanger, where natural gas turns into warm air. Any cracks in it can discharge carbon monoxide, which is regularly released outside. This dangerous gas can be deadly in large concentrations.

If you’re noticing banging or knocking sounds coming from your furnace, B & G HVAC urges you to turn it off and calling us at 641-316-3360. Too much natural gas in your furnace or a broken heat exchanger are serious troubles that necessitate immediate attention.

Banging Sounds Coming from Your Ductwork

Your furnace works with 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 may be the case if your furnace makes a banging noise when it shuts off. Call B & G HVAC at 641-316-3360 and we’ll figure out 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 problem, like with its transformer, blower motor or capacitor.

Your furnace relies on an internal transformer to operate on the right voltage. If wires or the box needs to be tightened, you may hear a low humming noise in the furnace when off. Your furnace also uses a blower motor, which moves heated or cooled air across your rooms, and a capacitor, which triggers the motor. If either of these parts are fading, they will buzz when the furnace starts.

3. Furnace Making a Rattling Noise

If your furnace is making a rattling noise, it might be related to something minor, like a loose screw, or something serious, like a broken piece. In either case, we urge you to shut your furnace off and getting in touch with our heating specialists at 641-316-3360 for help.

4. Furnace Making a Squealing Noise

If your furnace makes a high-pitched noise, like squealing, when it’s running, it’s making an effort to alert you it needs some TLC. If you’ve skipped furnace maintenance the last couple of years, belts could be worn down or a bearing might need to be greased. We are aware that maintenance sometimes slips your mind, but our professionals can get your furnace heating quietly again fast.

5. Furnace Making a Whistling Noise

When you’re hearing your furnace making a whistling noise, it’s frequently due to an air leak in your ductwork. You may also notice whistling while the furnace is on if a floor vent isn’t tight. If you’ve looked at your vents but are still noticing whistling, B & G HVAC can assist you. It’s important to get loose ductwork repaired quickly, since it can make comfort issues in your house and inflate your energy bills.

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 noise often means there’s an issue with your furnace’s blower. Turn off your furnace off now and reach us at 641-316-3360 for assistance.

When you’re noticing a weird noise from your furnace, B & G HVAC is here to help. Contact us at 641-316-3360 to request your furnace repair appointment today.