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

October 13, 2020

When your furnace is running like it should, it should give warm air without creating too much sound. While it’s common to notice your furnace making noise as it begins running, other noises are showing your furnace requires immediate professional assistance.

Here are some of the most frequent furnace noises and what they can be signaling. If your furnace is making a strange noise, our friendly heating specialists are here to assist with the best furnace repair in Lodi, CA.

1. Furnace Making a Banging Noise

You could have an urgent situation on your hands if you’re hearing your furnace making a banging noise. If your furnace is making a knocking noise, it might signal there could be a couple of problems. These involve 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 critical to book yearly furnace maintenance with Tokay Heating and Air Conditioning. One of the things our professionals do during this service is clean your furnace’s burners. When this piece gets grubby, you could hear your furnace making a loud rumbling noise if ignition is delayed. The subsequent gas buildup may fracture your furnace’s heat exchanger, where natural gas transforms into warmth. Any cracks in it can emit carbon monoxide, which is regularly vented away from your home. This dangerous gas can be lethal in large concentrations.

If you’re aware of banging or knocking sounds coming from your furnace, Tokay Heating and Air Conditioning recommends turning it off and reaching us at 209-257-3156. Excessive natural gas in your furnace or a fractured heat exchanger are serious problems that necessitate fast repairs.

Banging Sounds Coming from Your Ductwork

Your furnace works with ductwork to deliver heated air around your residence. If the ductwork wasn’t put in correctly or is getting dated, it can make a lot of noise when your furnace is on. This may be the case if your furnace makes a banging noise when it shuts off. Contact Tokay Heating and Air Conditioning at 209-257-3156 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 often is telling you there’s an electrical situation, like with its transformer, blower motor or capacitor.

Your furnace relies on an internal transformer to work on the right 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 moves hot or cooled air around your space, and a capacitor, which triggers the motor. If either of these components 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 can be the result of something small, like a loose screw, or something major, like a broken component. In either case, we advise shutting your furnace off and contacting our heating pros at 209-257-3156 for support.

4. Furnace Making a Squealing Noise

If your furnace makes a high-pitched noise, like squealing, when it’s running, it’s attempting to tell you it needs some TLC. If you’ve skipped furnace maintenance the past few years, belts could be dilapidated or a bearing could need to be lubricated. We are aware that maintenance sometimes slips your mind, but our professionals can get your furnace operating 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 may also hear whistling while the furnace is operating if a floor vent isn’t tight. If you’ve looked at your vents but are still noticing sound, Tokay Heating and Air Conditioning can provide support. It’s essential to get loose ductwork repaired without delay, as it can create comfort troubles in your house and inflate your energy bills.

6. Furnace Making a Grinding Noise

It’s not an encouraging sign if you notice 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 now and call our professionals at 209-257-3156 for support.

When you’re noticing a weird noise from your furnace, Tokay Heating and Air Conditioning is ready to support you. Contact us at 209-257-3156 to request your furnace repair appointment right away.