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

October 13, 2020

When your furnace is working correctly, it should provide warm air without generating too much noise. While it’s expected to notice your furnace making noise as it begins running, other sounds are signaling your furnace requires immediate professional support.

Here are some of the most reported furnace noises and what they can be signaling. If your furnace is making a strange noise, our friendly heating professionals are here to fix the problem with the best furnace repair in Des Moines, IA.

1. Furnace Making a Banging Noise

You might have an urgent issue on your hands if you’re hearing your furnace making a banging noise. If your furnace is making a knocking noise, it may mean there could be several problems. These range from gas accumulating in your furnace or a ductwork situation.

Banging Sounds Coming from Your Furnace

Your heating system gets grimy as time passes, so that’s why it’s critical to book routine furnace maintenance with Heartland Heating & Cooling. One of the jobs our pros complete during this appointment is clean your furnace’s burners. When this component gets grimy, you might hear your furnace making a loud rumbling noise if ignition takes longer than normal. The following gas buildup may crack your furnace’s heat exchanger, where natural gas changes into warmth. Any breaks in it can discharge carbon monoxide, which is regularly vented away from your home. This hazardous gas can be lethal in large concentrations.

If you’re aware of banging or knocking sounds coming from your furnace, Heartland Heating & Cooling urges you to turn it off and calling us at 515-344-3579. Significant natural gas in your furnace or a broken heat exchanger are dangerous troubles that necessitate prompt service.

Banging Sounds Coming from Your Ductwork

Your furnace uses ductwork to move warm air around your residence. If the ductwork wasn’t put in correctly or is getting old, it can make a lot of noise when your furnace runs. This might be the case if your furnace makes a banging noise when it shuts off. Contact Heartland Heating & Cooling at 515-344-3579 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 frequently is telling you there’s an electrical problem, like with its transformer, blower motor or capacitor.

Your furnace depends on an internal transformer to run on the correct voltage. If wires or the box needs to be tightened, you might detect a low humming noise in the furnace when off. Your furnace also uses a blower motor, which moves hot or chilly air across your house, and a capacitor, which starts the motor. If either of these pieces are going out, they will buzz when the furnace starts.

3. Furnace Making a Rattling Noise

If your furnace is making a rattling noise, it could be related to something minor, like a loose screw, or something major, like a broken part. In either case, we recommend shutting off your furnace and calling our heating pros at 515-344-3579 for help.

4. Furnace Making a Squealing Noise

If your furnace makes a high-pitched noise, like squealing, when it’s running, it’s attempting to get your attention it requires some TLC. If you’ve neglected furnace maintenance the last couple of years, belts could be dilapidated or a bearing may need to be lubed. We realize that maintenance often slips your mind, but our technicians can get your furnace heating quietly again quickly.

5. Furnace Making a Whistling Noise

When you’re hearing your furnace making a whistling noise, it’s frequently the result of an air leak in your ductwork. You could also notice whistling while the furnace is working if a floor vent isn’t secure. If you’ve examined your vents but are still noticing noise, Heartland Heating & Cooling can help. It’s essential to get loose ductwork taken care of without delay, since it can make comfort troubles in your home and increase your utility costs.

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 noise frequently means there’s trouble with your furnace’s blower. Turn off your furnace off now and reach our professionals at 515-344-3579 for support.

When you’re hearing an uncommon noise from your furnace, Heartland Heating & Cooling is available to provide assistance. Contact us at 515-344-3579 to request your furnace repair appointment today.