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

October 13, 2020

When your furnace is working like it should, it should give warmth without generating too much disruption. While it’s common to notice your furnace making noise as it begins running, other noises are signaling your furnace needs immediate professional support.

Here are some of the most reported furnace noises and what they could be indicating. If your furnace is making an atypical noise, our friendly heating specialists are here to assist with the best furnace repair in Mount Pleasant, SC.

1. Furnace Making a Banging Noise

You could have an urgent issue on your hands if you’re detecting your furnace making a banging noise. If your furnace is making a knocking noise, it can indicate there could be a few problems. These involve gas building up in your furnace or a ductwork situation.

Banging Sounds Coming from Your Furnace

Your heating system becomes filthy over the years, so that’s why it’s critical to book seasonal furnace maintenance with Olde Towne Heating & Air. One of the things our pros complete during this work is clean your furnace’s burners. When this part gets grimy, you could hear your furnace making a loud rumbling noise if ignition takes more time. The ensuing gas buildup may break your furnace’s heat exchanger, where natural gas transforms into warm air. Any fractures in it can emit carbon monoxide, which is ordinarily released away from your home. This dangerous gas can be lethal in large concentrations.

If you’re aware of banging or knocking sounds coming from your furnace, Olde Towne Heating & Air recommends turning it off and calling us at 843-485-0967. Significant natural gas in your furnace or a broken heat exchanger are dangerous issues that require immediate attention.

Banging Sounds Coming from Your Ductwork

Your furnace relies on ductwork to move heated air across your house. If the ductwork wasn’t installed correctly or is aging, it can make a lot of noise when your furnace is on. This might be the case if your furnace makes a banging noise when it shuts off. Get in touch with Olde Towne Heating & Air at 843-485-0967 and we’ll figure out the problem.

2. Furnace Making a Buzzing Noise

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

Your furnace uses an internal transformer to operate on the proper voltage. If wires or the box isn’t tight enough, you might detect a low humming noise in the furnace when off. Your furnace also uses a blower motor, which moves hot or cold air around your residence, and a capacitor, which turns on the motor. If either of these parts 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 can be related to something small, like an unfastened screw, or something critical, like a broken piece. In either case, we urge you to shut your furnace off and contacting our heating specialists at 843-485-0967 for support.

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 could use some TLC. If you’ve forgotten furnace maintenance recently, belts could be worn out or a bearing may need to be greased. We realize that maintenance sometimes slips your mind, but our techs can get your furnace heating quietly again quickly.

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 might also notice whistling while the furnace is working if a floor vent isn’t tight. If you’ve looked at your vents but are still sensing whistling, Olde Towne Heating & Air can assist you. It’s critical to get loose ductwork fixed without delay, because it can make comfort troubles in your house and inflate your heating 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 racket frequently means there’s a problem with your furnace’s blower. Switch off your furnace off promptly and reach our pros at 843-485-0967 for help.

When you’re hearing a weird noise from your furnace, Olde Towne Heating & Air is here to help. Contact us at 843-485-0967 to request your furnace repair appointment today.