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

October 13, 2020

When your furnace is operating properly, it should provide heat without generating too much disruption. While it’s common to hear your furnace making noise as it begins running, other noises are signaling your furnace should get immediate professional assistance.

Here are some of the most reported furnace noises and what they can mean. If your furnace is making a weird noise, our friendly heating professionals are here to fix the problem with the best furnace repair in New Castle, PA.

1. Furnace Making a Banging Noise

You might have an urgent issue on your hands if you’re noticing your furnace making a banging noise. If your furnace is making a knocking noise, it can mean there could be a few problems. These involve gas building up in your furnace or a ductwork situation.

Banging Sounds Coming from Your Furnace

Your heating system turns dirty over the years, so that’s why it’s critical to book seasonal furnace maintenance with Central Heating & Plumbing. One of the things our techs do during this work is clean your furnace’s burners. When this part gets grimy, you could hear your furnace making a loud rumbling noise if ignition is delayed. The following gas buildup might crack your furnace’s heat exchanger, where natural gas turns into heat. Any fractures in it can leak carbon monoxide, which is normally released outdoors. This toxic gas can be lethal in large concentrations.

If you’re aware of banging or knocking sounds coming from your furnace, Central Heating & Plumbing advises turning it off and calling us at 724-401-1843. Too much natural gas in your furnace or a cracked heat exchanger are critical troubles that necessitate immediate repairs.

Banging Sounds Coming from Your Ductwork

Your furnace uses ductwork to provide warm air across your house. If the ductwork wasn’t designed properly or is getting old, it can be noisy when your furnace is on. This can be the case if your furnace makes a banging noise when it shuts off. Contact Central Heating & Plumbing at 724-401-1843 and we’ll determine the problem.

2. Furnace Making a Buzzing Noise

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

Your furnace depends on an internal transformer to work on the proper voltage. If wires or the box is loose, you could hear a low humming noise in the furnace when off. Your furnace also works with a blower motor, which sends warm or cooled air around your home, and a capacitor, which starts 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 may be the result of something little, like a loose screw, or something serious, like a broken part. In either case, we advise shutting your furnace off and calling our heating specialists at 724-401-1843 for assistance.

4. Furnace Making a Squealing Noise

If your furnace makes a high-pitched noise, like squealing, when it’s going, it’s trying to tell you it requires some TLC. If you’ve forgotten furnace maintenance recently, belts could be worn down or a bearing could need to be lubed. We are aware that maintenance sometimes slips your mind, but our technicians can get your furnace operating quietly again rapidly.

5. Furnace Making a Whistling Noise

When you’re detecting your furnace making a whistling noise, it’s typically because of an air leak in your ductwork. You might also be aware of whistling while the furnace is running if a floor vent is loose. If you’ve looked at your vents but are still noticing noise, Central Heating & Plumbing can assist you. It’s important to get loose ductwork repaired fast, because it can result in comfort problems in your residence and drive up 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 racket typically means there’s a problem with your furnace’s blower. Turn off your furnace off promptly and contact our pros at 724-401-1843 for help.

When you’re getting a weird noise from your furnace, Central Heating & Plumbing is ready to help. Contact us at 724-401-1843 to request your furnace repair appointment right away.