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

October 13, 2020

When your furnace is working correctly, it should provide warmth without creating too much noise. While it’s expected to hear your furnace making noise as it begins running, other disruptions are indicating your furnace should get immediate professional support.

Here are some of the most common furnace noises and what they can be signaling. If your furnace is making a strange noise, our friendly heating specialists are here to help with the best furnace repair in Mankato area, MN.

1. Furnace Making a Banging Noise

You may have a serious problem on your hands if you’re noticing your furnace making a banging noise. If your furnace is making a knocking noise, it can indicate there could be several problems. These involve gas accumulating in your furnace or a ductwork situation.

Banging Sounds Coming from Your Furnace

Your heating system turns grimy over the years, so that’s why it’s essential to book seasonal furnace maintenance with Northern Comfort Inc. One of the tasks our techs perform during this service is clean your furnace’s burners. When this part gets grubby, 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 heat. Any fractures in it can leak carbon monoxide, which is regularly released outdoors. This toxic gas can be fatal in large concentrations.

If you’re aware of banging or knocking sounds coming from your furnace, Northern Comfort Inc recommends turning it off and reaching us at 507-387-6596. Excessive natural gas in your furnace or a cracked heat exchanger are hazardous troubles that should get prompt repairs.

Banging Sounds Coming from Your Ductwork

Your furnace uses ductwork to provide heated air across your house. If the ductwork wasn’t put in properly or is getting dated, it can be loud when your furnace is on. This may be the problem 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 Making a Buzzing Noise

If you notice your furnace making a buzzing noise, don’t hesitate to call us. A buzzing sound usually means there’s an electrical issue, like with its transformer, blower motor or capacitor.

Your furnace relies on an internal transformer to work on the proper voltage. If wires or the box isn’t tight enough, you may hear a low humming noise in the furnace when off. Your furnace also has a blower motor, which distributes heated or cooled air around your space, and a capacitor, which starts the motor. If either of these components are going out, they will buzz when the furnace turns on.

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 urge you to shut your furnace off and contacting our heating specialists at 507-387-6596 for support.

4. Furnace Making a Squealing Noise

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

5. Furnace Making a Whistling Noise

When you’re noticing your furnace making a whistling noise, it’s likely because of an air leak in your ductwork. You might also hear whistling while the furnace is running if a floor vent is loose. If you’ve examined your vents but are still noticing noise, Northern Comfort Inc can help. It’s critical to get loose ductwork repaired quickly, since it can create comfort issues in your home and drive up your utility costs.

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 trouble with your furnace’s blower. Shut down your furnace off promptly and call our pros at 507-387-6596 for help.

When you’re noticing a strange noise from your furnace, Northern Comfort Inc is here to support you. Contact us at 507-387-6596 to book your furnace repair appointment now.