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

October 13, 2020

When your furnace is operating properly, it should deliver warmth without making too much disruption. While it’s normal to notice your furnace making noise as it starts up, other noises are signaling your furnace requires immediate professional support.

Here are some of the most frequent furnace noises and what they might mean. If your furnace is making a strange noise, our friendly heating specialists are here to fix the problem with the best furnace repair in Des Moines, IA.

1. Furnace Making a Banging Noise

You may 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 can indicate there could be a few problems. These range from gas increasing in your furnace or a ductwork problem.

Banging Sounds Coming from Your Furnace

Your heating system gets dirty over the years, so that’s why it’s essential to set routine furnace maintenance with Kohles & Bach Heating & Cooling. One of the things our professionals perform during this appointment is clean your furnace’s burners. When this component gets grubby, you might hear your furnace making a loud rumbling noise when ignition takes longer than normal. The resulting gas buildup might break your furnace’s heat exchanger, where natural gas changes into heat. Any cracks in it can leak carbon monoxide, which is regularly vented outdoors. This dangerous gas can be deadly in large concentrations.

If you’re aware of banging or knocking sounds coming from your furnace, Kohles & Bach Heating & Cooling recommends turning it off and reaching us at 515-207-6569. Significant natural gas in your furnace or a ruptured heat exchanger are dangerous issues that require prompt service.

Banging Sounds Coming from Your Ductwork

Your furnace works with ductwork to provide hot air throughout your residence. If the ductwork wasn’t designed right or is getting dated, it can be loud when your furnace is heating. This can be the issue if your furnace makes a banging noise when it shuts off. Contact Kohles & Bach Heating & Cooling at 515-207-6569 and we’ll pinpoint the problem.

2. Furnace Making a Buzzing Noise

If you observe your furnace making a buzzing noise, don’t hesitate to call us. A buzzing sound usually indicates an electrical problem, like with its transformer, blower motor or capacitor.

Your furnace relies on an internal transformer to operate on the right voltage. If wires or the box is loose, you could detect a low humming noise in the furnace when off. Your furnace also works with a blower motor, which sends hot or cold air throughout your space, and a capacitor, which turns on the motor. If either of these pieces 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 might be the result of something minor, like an unfastened screw, or something major, like a broken part. In either case, we urge you to shut your furnace off and getting in touch with our heating professionals at 515-207-6569 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 needs some TLC. If you’ve neglected furnace maintenance the last couple of years, belts could be worn down or a bearing may need to be lubed. We realize that maintenance frequently slips your mind, but our professionals can get your furnace running quietly again fast.

5. Furnace Making a Whistling Noise

When you’re detecting your furnace making a whistling noise, it’s frequently due to an air leak in your ductwork. You might also notice whistling while the furnace is operating if a floor vent isn’t tight. If you’ve checked your vents but are still noticing sound, Kohles & Bach Heating & Cooling can help. It’s important to get loose ductwork repaired quickly, because it can result in comfort problems in your house and drive up your utility costs.

6. Furnace Making a Grinding Noise

It’s not a positive sign if you detect your furnace making a grinding noise. This metal-on-metal sound usually means there’s a problem with your furnace’s blower. Turn off your furnace off right away and call us at 515-207-6569 for assistance.

When you’re noticing an atypical noise from your furnace, Kohles & Bach Heating & Cooling is available to support you. Contact us at 515-207-6569 to schedule your furnace repair appointment today.