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

October 13, 2020
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When your furnace is working properly, it should provide warm air without making too much disruption. While it’s common to catch your furnace making noise as it starts up, other disruptions are signaling your furnace needs immediate professional assistance.

Here are some of the most common furnace noises and what they might mean. If your furnace is making an odd noise, our friendly heating professionals are here to fix the problem with the best furnace repair in Franklin & South Indy, IN.

1. Furnace Making a Banging Noise

You could have a serious issue on your hands if you’re noticing your furnace making a banging noise. If your furnace is making a knocking noise, it may mean there could be a couple of problems. These include gas increases in your furnace or a ductwork issue.

Banging Sounds Coming from Your Furnace

Your heating system gets filthy over the years, so that’s why it’s critical to schedule yearly furnace maintenance with Winters Heating and Cooling. One of the things our technicians complete during this service is clean your furnace’s burners. When this piece gets grubby, you could hear your furnace making a loud rumbling noise when ignition is delayed. The ensuing gas buildup might crack your furnace’s heat exchanger, where natural gas changes into warm air. Any breaks in it can emit carbon monoxide, which is normally vented outside. This hazardous gas can be deadly in large concentrations.

If you’re aware of banging or knocking sounds coming from your furnace, Winters Heating and Cooling advises turning it off and call us at 317-406-5382. Excessive natural gas in your furnace or a fractured heat exchanger are hazardous issues that require fast repairs.

Banging Sounds Coming from Your Ductwork

Your furnace relies on ductwork to provide hot air across your home. If the ductwork wasn’t designed properly or is aging, it can make a lot of noise when your furnace runs. This may be the problem if your furnace makes a banging noise when it shuts off. Call Winters Heating and Cooling at 317-406-5382 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 issue, like with its transformer, blower motor or capacitor.

Your furnace uses an internal transformer to work on the correct voltage. If wires or the box needs to be tightened, you may detect a low humming noise in the furnace when off. Your furnace also works with a blower motor, which moves hot or cooled air across your residence, and a capacitor, which turns on the motor. If either of these parts are going out, they will buzz when the furnace turns on.

3. Furnace Making a Rattling Noise

If your furnace is making a rattling noise, it might be due to something small, like a loose screw, or something serious, like a broken component. In either case, we urge you to shut your furnace off and calling our heating specialists at 317-406-5382 for assistance.

4. Furnace Making a Squealing Noise

If your furnace makes a high-pitched noise, like squealing, when it’s running, it’s trying to tell you it requires some TLC. If you’ve skipped furnace maintenance the past few years, belts could be worn down or a bearing could need to be lubed. We realize that maintenance frequently slips your mind, but our technicians can get your furnace operating quietly again fast.

5. Furnace Making a Whistling Noise

When you’re noticing your furnace making a whistling noise, it’s typically due to an air leak in your ductwork. You could also be aware of whistling while the furnace is operating if a floor vent isn’t tight. If you’ve looked at your vents but are still noticing sound, Winters Heating and Cooling can help. It’s important to get loose ductwork taken care of without delay, since it can make comfort troubles in your residence and increase your gas expenses.

6. Furnace Making a Grinding Noise

It’s not a good sign if you notice your furnace making a grinding noise. This metal-on-metal sound typically means there’s an issue with your furnace’s blower. Turn off your furnace off promptly and contact our professionals at 317-406-5382 for support.

When you’re noticing a strange noise from your furnace, Winters Heating and Cooling is here to provide assistance. Contact us at 317-406-5382 to schedule your furnace repair appointment now.