Banging, Screeching and Rattling: What 6 Common Furnace Noises Signify

October 13, 2020

When your furnace is running properly, it should deliver heat without making too much sound. While it’s normal to notice your furnace making noise as it begins running, other disruptions are signaling your furnace should get immediate professional support.

Here are some of the most reported furnace noises and what they can mean. If your furnace is making a strange noise, our friendly heating professionals are here to help with the best furnace repair in Newton, IA.

1. Furnace Making a Banging Noise

You could 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 might signal there could be a few problems. These range from gas building up in your furnace or a ductwork problem.

Banging Sounds Coming from Your Furnace

Your heating system turns dirty over time, so that’s why it’s essential to book seasonal furnace maintenance with Brookwood Inc. One of the things our professionals perform during this work is clean your furnace’s burners. When this part gets dirty, you might hear your furnace making a loud rumbling noise if ignition takes more time. The resulting gas buildup might break your furnace’s heat exchanger, where natural gas changes into heat. Any fractures in it can discharge carbon monoxide, which is normally emitted outdoors. This dangerous gas can be fatal in large concentrations.

If you’re hearing banging or knocking sounds coming from your furnace, Brookwood Inc advises turning it off and reaching us at 641-316-9803. Significant natural gas in your furnace or a cracked heat exchanger are serious troubles that should get immediate repairs.

Banging Sounds Coming from Your Ductwork

Your furnace works with ductwork to provide hot air around your home. If the ductwork wasn’t put in right or is getting old, it can be loud when your furnace is on. This may be the case if your furnace makes a banging noise when it shuts off. Get in touch with Brookwood Inc at 641-316-9803 and we’ll pinpoint the problem.

2. Furnace Making a Buzzing Noise

If you notice your furnace making a buzzing noise, don’t wait to call us. A buzzing sound often indicates an electrical situation, like with its transformer, blower motor or capacitor.

Your furnace uses an internal transformer to operate on the correct voltage. If wires or the box isn’t tight enough, you might hear a low humming noise in the furnace when off. Your furnace also has a blower motor, which distributes warm or cooled air throughout your residence, and a capacitor, which turns on the motor. If either of these parts are failing, they will buzz when the furnace turns on.

3. Furnace Making a Rattling Noise

If your furnace is making a rattling noise, it may be due to something minor, like an unsecure screw, or something critical, like a broken component. In either case, we urge you to shut your furnace off and calling our heating pros at 641-316-9803 for support.

4. Furnace Making a Squealing Noise

If your furnace makes a high-pitched noise, like squealing, when it’s going, it’s attempting to alert you it needs some TLC. If you’ve skipped furnace maintenance recently, belts could be dilapidated or a bearing could need to be lubed. 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 detecting your furnace making a whistling noise, it’s frequently due to an air leak in your ductwork. You could also be aware of whistling while the furnace is working if a floor vent isn’t tight. If you’ve looked at your vents but are still sensing sound, Brookwood Inc can provide support. It’s important to get loose ductwork repaired without delay, because it can result in comfort problems in your home and inflate your energy costs.

6. Furnace Making a Grinding Noise

It’s not a good sign if you hear your furnace making a grinding noise. This metal-on-metal noise typically means there’s a problem with your furnace’s blower. Turn off your furnace off immediately and contact us at 641-316-9803 for assistance.

When you’re getting an atypical noise from your furnace, Brookwood Inc is ready to provide assistance. Contact us at 641-316-9803 to request your furnace repair appointment right away.