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

October 13, 2020

When your furnace is operating properly, it should provide warmth without making too much sound. While it’s normal to notice your furnace making noise as it turns on, other disruptions are signaling your furnace needs immediate professional assistance.

Here are some of the most common 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 Crystal and Twin Cities, MN.

1. Furnace Making a Banging Noise

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

Banging Sounds Coming from Your Furnace

Your heating system turns grimy over time, so that’s why it’s essential to book routine furnace maintenance with GV Heating & Air. One of the things our techs do during this work is clean your furnace’s burners. When this component gets dirty, you might hear your furnace making a loud rumbling noise when ignition takes more time. The following gas buildup might break your furnace’s heat exchanger, where natural gas turns into heat. Any cracks in it can emit carbon monoxide, which is normally released outside. This toxic gas can be lethal in large concentrations.

If you’re aware of banging or knocking sounds coming from your furnace, GV Heating & Air recommends turning it off and reaching us at 763-535-2000. Significant natural gas in your furnace or a fractured heat exchanger are serious troubles that should get fast service.

Banging Sounds Coming from Your Ductwork

Your furnace uses ductwork to provide hot air around your home. If the ductwork wasn’t put in properly or is getting old, it can be loud when your furnace is on. This could be the problem if your furnace makes a banging noise when it shuts off. Get in touch with GV Heating & Air at 763-535-2000 and we’ll pinpoint 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 typically means there’s an electrical problem, like with its transformer, blower motor or capacitor.

Your furnace uses an internal transformer to run on the proper voltage. If wires or the box is loose, you could notice a low humming noise in the furnace when off. Your furnace also works with a blower motor, which moves hot or cooled air around your space, and a capacitor, which turns on the motor. If either of these parts 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 might be due to something small, like an unsecure screw, or something serious, like a broken component. In either case, we recommend shutting off your furnace and getting in touch with our heating specialists at 763-535-2000 for help.

4. Furnace Making a Squealing Noise

If your furnace makes a high-pitched noise, like squealing, when it’s on, it’s attempting to alert you it could use some TLC. If you’ve forgotten furnace maintenance the past few years, belts could be dilapidated or a bearing may need to be lubricated. We know that maintenance frequently slips your mind, but our technicians can get your furnace operating quietly again quickly.

5. Furnace Making a Whistling Noise

When you’re noticing your furnace making a whistling noise, it’s frequently the result of an air leak in your ductwork. You might also notice whistling while the furnace is on if a floor vent isn’t tight. If you’ve looked at your vents but are still sensing sound, GV Heating & Air can help. It’s critical to get loose ductwork fixed fast, as it can create comfort problems in your home and drive up your gas bills.

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 noise often means there’s a problem with your furnace’s blower. Turn off your furnace off now and call us at 763-535-2000 for help.

When you’re noticing a weird noise from your furnace, GV Heating & Air is available to help. Contact us at 763-535-2000 to schedule your furnace repair appointment right away.