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

October 13, 2020

When your furnace is working properly, it should give warm air without generating too much sound. While it’s expected to catch your furnace making noise as it turns on, other disruptions 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 strange noise, our friendly heating professionals are here to help with the best furnace repair in Libertyville, IL.

1. Furnace Making a Banging Noise

You might have a critical problem on your hands if you’re detecting your furnace making a banging noise. If your furnace is making a knocking noise, it might indicate there could be a few problems. These include gas accumulating in your furnace or a ductwork issue.

Banging Sounds Coming from Your Furnace

Your heating system becomes filthy over the years, so that’s why it’s critical to book yearly furnace maintenance with TopTec Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical. One of the jobs our professionals do during this appointment is clean your furnace’s burners. When this piece gets dirty, you could hear your furnace making a loud rumbling noise when ignition is delayed. The following gas buildup may crack your furnace’s heat exchanger, where natural gas turns into heat. Any breaks in it can discharge carbon monoxide, which is ordinarily emitted outdoors. This toxic gas can be fatal in large concentrations.

If you’re noticing banging or knocking sounds coming from your furnace, TopTec Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical advises turning it off and reaching us at 847-362-0262. Too much natural gas in your furnace or a fractured heat exchanger are dangerous problems that require prompt service.

Banging Sounds Coming from Your Ductwork

Your furnace works with ductwork to provide heated air across your home. If the ductwork wasn’t put in right or is getting dated, it can be noisy when your furnace runs. This could be the problem if your furnace makes a banging noise when it shuts off. Get in touch with TopTec Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical at 847-362-0262 and we’ll figure out 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 usually indicates an electrical issue, like with its transformer, blower motor or capacitor.

Your furnace relies on an internal transformer to run on the correct voltage. If wires or the box needs to be tightened, you could hear a low humming noise in the furnace when off. Your furnace also uses a blower motor, which sends hot or chilly air around your home, and a capacitor, which starts 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 could be related to something small, like a loose screw, or something serious, like a broken piece. In either case, we recommend shutting off your furnace and calling our heating specialists at 847-362-0262 for support.

4. Furnace Making a Squealing Noise

If your furnace makes a high-pitched noise, like squealing, when it’s going, it’s attempting to alert you it requires some TLC. If you’ve forgotten furnace maintenance the last couple of years, belts could be worn down or a bearing could need to be lubricated. We are aware that maintenance sometimes slips your mind, but our pros can get your furnace operating quietly again rapidly.

5. Furnace Making a Whistling Noise

When you’re noticing your furnace making a whistling noise, it’s likely due to an air leak in your ductwork. You might also notice whistling while the furnace is on if a floor vent isn’t secure. If you’ve examined your vents but are still noticing whistling, TopTec Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical can help. It’s critical to get loose ductwork fixed quickly, as it can make comfort issues in your home and drive up your heating costs.

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 racket usually means there’s an issue with your furnace’s blower. Switch off your furnace off promptly and reach us at 847-362-0262 for help.

When you’re noticing an atypical noise from your furnace, TopTec Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical is available to help. Contact us at 847-362-0262 to schedule your furnace repair appointment now.