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

October 13, 2020

When your furnace is working like it should, it should deliver warmth without making too much disruption. While it’s common to notice your furnace making noise as it begins running, other noises are showing your furnace requires immediate professional assistance.

Here are some of the most reported furnace noises and what they might mean. If your furnace is making an atypical noise, our friendly heating professionals are here to assist with the best furnace repair in Mechanicsburg, PA.

1. Furnace Making a Banging Noise

You may 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 may signal there could be a few problems. These range from gas increasing in your furnace or a ductwork problem.

Banging Sounds Coming from Your Furnace

Your heating system gets dirty over the years, so that’s why it’s critical to schedule yearly furnace maintenance with H & H Service Company. One of the tasks our pros perform during this work is clean your furnace’s burners. When this component gets dirty, you could hear your furnace making a loud rumbling noise when ignition takes more time. The resulting gas buildup may break your furnace’s heat exchanger, where natural gas turns into warm air. Any cracks in it can emit carbon monoxide, which is normally released away from your home. This hazardous gas can be lethal in large concentrations.

If you’re noticing banging or knocking sounds coming from your furnace, H & H Service Company recommends turning it off and reaching us at 717-220-4502. Excessive natural gas in your furnace or a broken heat exchanger are hazardous problems that necessitate fast repairs.

Banging Sounds Coming from Your Ductwork

Your furnace works with ductwork to move warm air around your house. If the ductwork wasn’t put in correctly or is getting old, it can be noisy when your furnace is heating. This may be the issue if your furnace makes a banging noise when it shuts off. Contact H & H Service Company at 717-220-4502 and we’ll determine the problem.

2. Furnace Making a Buzzing Noise

If you notice your furnace making a buzzing noise, don’t hesitate to call us. A buzzing sound typically is telling you there’s an electrical situation, like with its transformer, blower motor or capacitor.

Your furnace relies on an internal transformer to work on the right voltage. If wires or the box is loose, you could notice a low humming noise in the furnace when off. Your furnace also has a blower motor, which sends hot or chilly air throughout your home, and a capacitor, which starts the motor. If either of these pieces are fading, they will buzz when the furnace turns on.

3. Furnace Making a Rattling Noise

If your furnace is making a rattling noise, it could be related to something little, like a loose screw, or something serious, like a broken part. In either case, we recommend shutting off your furnace and getting in touch with our heating specialists at 717-220-4502 for help.

4. Furnace Making a Squealing Noise

If your furnace makes a high-pitched noise, like squealing, when it’s going, it’s making an effort to tell you it could use some TLC. If you’ve neglected furnace maintenance the last couple of years, belts could be worn out or a bearing might need to be lubed. We are aware that maintenance sometimes slips your mind, but our professionals 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 the result of an air leak in your ductwork. You could also notice whistling while the furnace is running if a floor vent isn’t secure. If you’ve examined your vents but are still sensing noise, H & H Service Company can help. It’s critical to get loose ductwork repaired quickly, because it can create comfort troubles in your house and increase your energy bills.

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. Shut down your furnace off right away and call us at 717-220-4502 for assistance.

When you’re noticing an atypical noise from your furnace, H & H Service Company is here to help. Contact us at 717-220-4502 to schedule your furnace repair appointment right away.