When your furnace is running correctly, it should provide warmth without creating too much sound. While it’s expected to catch your furnace making noise as it turns on, other noises are showing your furnace should get immediate professional assistance.

Here are some of the most reported furnace noises and what they might mean. If your furnace is making a strange noise, our friendly heating professionals are here to help with the best furnace repair in Mankato area, Minnesota.

1. Furnace Makes a Banging Sound

You may have a critical issue on your hands if you’re hearing your furnace making a banging noise. If your furnace is making a knocking noise, it may signal there could be a couple of problems. These range from gas building up in your furnace or a ductwork problem.

Banging Sounds Coming from Your Furnace

Your heating system turns grimy over the years, so that’s why it’s essential to set routine furnace maintenance with Northern Comfort Inc. One of the things our technicians complete during this appointment is clean your furnace’s burners. When this component gets dirty, you may hear your furnace making a loud rumbling noise after ignition takes more time. The resulting gas buildup may fracture your furnace’s heat exchanger, where natural gas transforms into heat. Any breaks in it can leak carbon monoxide, which is regularly vented away from your home. This hazardous gas can be deadly in large concentrations.

If you’re aware of banging or knocking sounds coming from your furnace, Northern Comfort Inc recommends turning it off and calling us at 507-387-6596. Too much natural gas in your furnace or a cracked heat exchanger are dangerous troubles that necessitate immediate attention.

Banging Sounds Coming from Your Ductwork

Your furnace works with ductwork to move hot air across your residence. If the ductwork wasn’t designed correctly or is getting dated, it can make a lot of noise when your furnace is heating. This might be the case if your furnace makes a banging noise when it shuts off. Get in touch with Northern Comfort Inc at 507-387-6596 and we’ll figure out the problem.

2. Furnace Buzzes Constantly

If you observe your furnace making a buzzing noise, don’t delay calling us. A buzzing sound often means there’s 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 might hear a low humming noise in the furnace when off. Your furnace also works with a blower motor, which moves heated or cooled air around your residence, and a capacitor, which turns on the motor. If either of these pieces are failing, they will buzz when the furnace starts.

3. Furnace Rattles

If your furnace is making a rattling noise, it may be the result of something small, like an unsecure screw, or something serious, like a broken component. In either case, we recommend shutting off your furnace and contacting our heating professionals at 507-387-6596 for support.

4. Furnace Squeals

If your furnace makes a high-pitched noise, like squealing, when it’s running, it’s trying to alert you it needs some TLC. If you’ve forgotten furnace maintenance the last couple of years, belts could be worn out or a bearing may need to be lubricated. We are aware that maintenance often slips your mind, but our professionals can get your furnace operating quietly again fast.

5. Furnace Makes a Whistling Sound Like Air Escaping

When you’re hearing your furnace making a whistling noise, it’s likely because of an air leak in your ductwork. You could also notice whistling while the furnace is on if a floor vent isn’t secure. If you’ve checked your vents but are still sensing whistling, Northern Comfort Inc can help. It’s essential to get loose ductwork taken care of quickly, because it can make comfort issues in your residence and increase your heating bills.

6. Furnace Makes a Loud, Unpleasant Grinding Noise

It’s not a positive sign if you detect your furnace making a grinding noise. This metal-on-metal racket frequently means there’s a problem with your furnace’s blower. Turn off your furnace off immediately and reach us at 507-387-6596 for assistance.

When you’re getting an atypical noise from your furnace, Northern Comfort Inc is ready to help. Contact us at 507-387-6596 to schedule your furnace repair appointment today.