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

October 13, 2020

When your furnace is running correctly, it should give heat without creating too much noise. While it’s expected to catch your furnace making noise as it starts up, other noises are signaling your furnace needs immediate professional help.

Here are some of the most frequent furnace noises and what they could mean. If your furnace is making a weird noise, our friendly heating pros are here to fix the problem with the best furnace repair in West Valley City, UT.

1. Furnace Making a Banging Noise

You could have a critical issue on your hands if you’re noticing your furnace making a banging noise. If your furnace is making a knocking noise, it might signal 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 becomes dirty over the years, so that’s why it’s critical to schedule routine furnace maintenance with Select Comfort Systems Heating & Air Conditioning. One of the things our technicians complete during this work is clean your furnace’s burners. When this piece gets grimy, you might hear your furnace making a loud rumbling noise if ignition is delayed. The subsequent gas buildup can break your furnace’s heat exchanger, where natural gas turns into warm air. Any cracks in it can leak carbon monoxide, which is ordinarily released outside. This dangerous gas can be fatal in large concentrations.

If you’re aware of banging or knocking sounds coming from your furnace, Select Comfort Systems Heating & Air Conditioning advises turning it off and reaching us at 801-305-4777. Excessive natural gas in your furnace or a ruptured heat exchanger are serious issues that should get prompt attention.

Banging Sounds Coming from Your Ductwork

Your furnace relies on ductwork to provide warm air across your residence. If the ductwork wasn’t designed properly or is aging, 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. Contact Select Comfort Systems Heating & Air Conditioning at 801-305-4777 and we’ll figure out 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 usually is telling you there’s an electrical issue, like with its transformer, blower motor or capacitor.

Your furnace depends on an internal transformer to work on the right voltage. If wires or the box isn’t tight enough, you could detect a low humming noise in the furnace when off. Your furnace also has a blower motor, which sends warm or cold air around your rooms, and a capacitor, which triggers the motor. If either of these pieces 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 could be due to something small, like an unsecure screw, or something critical, like a broken part. In either case, we advise shutting your furnace off and contacting our heating pros at 801-305-4777 for assistance.

4. Furnace Making a Squealing Noise

If your furnace makes a high-pitched noise, like squealing, when it’s heating, it’s making an effort to get your attention it requires some TLC. If you’ve skipped furnace maintenance the past few years, belts could be worn out or a bearing might need to be lubricated. We are aware that maintenance often slips your mind, but our pros can get your furnace operating quietly again quickly.

5. Furnace Making a Whistling Noise

When you’re detecting your furnace making a whistling noise, it’s typically due to an air leak in your ductwork. You may also notice whistling while the furnace is working if a floor vent isn’t secure. If you’ve examined your vents but are still sensing whistling, Select Comfort Systems Heating & Air Conditioning can help. It’s essential to get loose ductwork taken care of quickly, since it can make comfort problems in your home and inflate your heating costs.

6. Furnace Making a Grinding Noise

It’s not a positive sign if you hear your furnace making a grinding noise. This metal-on-metal racket frequently means there’s an issue with your furnace’s blower. Turn off your furnace off instantly and contact our professionals at 801-305-4777 for help.

When you’re noticing a strange noise from your furnace, Select Comfort Systems Heating & Air Conditioning is ready to help. Contact us at 801-305-4777 to schedule your furnace repair appointment right away.