When your furnace is running correctly, it should give warmth without creating too much disruption. While it’s common to notice your furnace making noise as it begins running, other noises are signaling your furnace should get immediate professional support.
Here are some of the most reported furnace noises and what they might be indicating. If your furnace is making an odd noise, our friendly heating pros are here to assist with the best furnace repair in Erie, Pennsylvania.
1. Furnace Makes a Banging Sound
You might 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 mean there could be a couple of problems. These range from gas accumulating in your furnace or a ductwork situation.
Banging Sounds Coming from Your Furnace
Your heating system turns grimy over time, so that’s why it’s important to book routine furnace maintenance with Patterson & Stirling. One of the jobs our professionals do during this work is clean your furnace’s burners. When this component gets grubby, you may hear your furnace making a loud rumbling noise if ignition takes longer than normal. The following gas buildup may fracture your furnace’s heat exchanger, where natural gas turns into heat. Any fractures in it can emit carbon monoxide, which is ordinarily released outdoors. This dangerous gas can be lethal in large concentrations.
If you’re noticing banging or knocking sounds coming from your furnace, Patterson & Stirling advises turning it off and calling us at 814-308-0416. Excessive 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 relies on ductwork to provide hot air throughout your home. If the ductwork wasn’t designed correctly or is aging, it can be loud when your furnace is on. This could be the issue if your furnace makes a banging noise when it shuts off. Contact Patterson & Stirling at 814-308-0416 and we’ll determine the problem.
2. Furnace Making a Buzzing Noise
If you observe your furnace making a buzzing noise, don’t wait to call 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 work on the proper voltage. If wires or the box isn’t tight enough, you might notice a low humming noise in the furnace when off. Your furnace also uses a blower motor, which sends hot or chilly air across your space, and a capacitor, which triggers the motor. If either of these pieces are fading, they will buzz when the furnace switches on.
3. Furnace Makes Rattling Sounds Like Something Is Loose
If your furnace is making a rattling noise, it could be due to something little, like an unfastened screw, or something major, like a broken piece. In either case, we recommend shutting off your furnace and contacting our heating pros at 814-308-0416 for assistance.
4. Furnace Making a Squealing Noise
If your furnace makes a high-pitched noise, like squealing, when it’s running, it’s making an effort to alert you it requires some TLC. If you’ve neglected furnace maintenance recently, belts could be worn out or a bearing could need to be lubricated. We are aware that maintenance often slips your mind, but our professionals can get your furnace heating quietly again quickly.
5. Furnace Whistles
When you’re noticing your furnace making a whistling noise, it’s typically because of an air leak in your ductwork. You could also hear whistling while the furnace is on if a floor vent is loose. If you’ve checked your vents but are still sensing whistling, Patterson & Stirling can help. It’s critical to get loose ductwork fixed without delay, because it can make comfort issues in your residence and drive up your gas 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 sound usually means there’s an issue with your furnace’s blower. Switch off your furnace off promptly and call our pros at 814-308-0416 for help.
When you’re getting a weird noise from your furnace, Patterson & Stirling is available to help. Contact us at 814-308-0416 to request your furnace repair appointment now.