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

October 13, 2020

When your furnace is running properly, it should give warm air without generating too much noise. While it’s expected to catch your furnace making noise as it begins running, other noises are indicating your furnace needs immediate professional help.

Here are some of the most reported furnace noises and what they can be indicating. If your furnace is making an atypical noise, our friendly heating pros are here to fix the problem with the best furnace repair in Lexington, NC.

1. Furnace Making a Banging Noise

You might have a serious situation on your hands if you’re detecting your furnace making a banging noise. If your furnace is making a knocking noise, it may mean there could be several problems. These include gas accumulating in your furnace or a ductwork situation.

Banging Sounds Coming from Your Furnace

Your heating system turns filthy over the years, so that’s why it’s essential to set seasonal furnace maintenance with James Heating & A/C, Inc. One of the things our pros do during this service is clean your furnace’s burners. When this piece gets grimy, you might hear your furnace making a loud rumbling noise after ignition takes more time. The subsequent gas buildup might break your furnace’s heat exchanger, where natural gas changes into warmth. Any fractures in it can emit carbon monoxide, which is normally vented outdoors. This dangerous gas can be deadly in large concentrations.

If you’re aware of banging or knocking sounds coming from your furnace, James Heating & A/C, Inc advises turning it off and calling us at 336-853-6070. Excessive natural gas in your furnace or a ruptured heat exchanger are serious problems that necessitate fast repairs.

Banging Sounds Coming from Your Ductwork

Your furnace uses ductwork to move warm air around your house. If the ductwork wasn’t put in correctly or is getting dated, it can make a lot of noise when your furnace runs. This may be the issue if your furnace makes a banging noise when it shuts off. Contact James Heating & A/C, Inc at 336-853-6070 and we’ll determine the problem.

2. Furnace Making a Buzzing Noise

If you notice your furnace making a buzzing noise, don’t delay calling us. A buzzing sound frequently is telling you there’s an electrical issue, like with its transformer, blower motor or capacitor.

Your furnace depends on an internal transformer to operate 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 has a blower motor, which distributes heated or cold air around your house, and a capacitor, which triggers the motor. If either of these parts are failing, they will buzz when the furnace switches on.

3. Furnace Making a Rattling Noise

If your furnace is making a rattling noise, it can be the result of something small, like an unfastened screw, or something serious, like a broken piece. In either case, we recommend shutting off your furnace and contacting our heating specialists at 336-853-6070 for assistance.

4. Furnace Making a Squealing Noise

If your furnace makes a high-pitched noise, like squealing, when it’s heating, it’s attempting to alert you it could use some TLC. If you’ve skipped furnace maintenance the past few years, belts could be worn down or a bearing might need to be lubed. We know that maintenance sometimes slips your mind, but our professionals can get your furnace running quietly again rapidly.

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 be aware of whistling while the furnace is running if a floor vent isn’t tight. If you’ve checked your vents but are still hearing noise, James Heating & A/C, Inc can assist you. It’s essential to get loose ductwork taken care of without delay, because it can result in comfort issues in your home and increase your gas expenses.

6. Furnace Making a Grinding Noise

It’s not an encouraging sign if you hear your furnace making a grinding noise. This metal-on-metal racket usually means there’s an issue with your furnace’s blower. Shut down your furnace off immediately and reach our pros at 336-853-6070 for support.

When you’re noticing an uncommon noise from your furnace, James Heating & A/C, Inc is available to help. Contact us at 336-853-6070 to request your furnace repair appointment right away.