Banging, Screeching and Rattling: What Six Ordinary Furnace Noises Mean

When your furnace is operating correctly, it should give heat without making too much disruption. While it’s normal to catch your furnace making noise as it starts up, other disruptions are signaling your furnace needs immediate professional assistance.

Here are some of the most reported furnace noises and what they could mean. If your furnace is making an atypical noise, our friendly heating pros are here to assist with the best furnace repair in Erie, Pennsylvania.

1. Furnace Making a Banging Noise

You could have a critical situation 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 as time passes, so that’s why it’s critical to set seasonal furnace maintenance with Patterson & Stirling. One of the tasks our professionals do during this work is clean your furnace’s burners. When this component gets grimy, you could hear your furnace making a loud rumbling noise if ignition is delayed. The ensuing gas buildup may crack your furnace’s heat exchanger, where natural gas transforms into warmth. Any cracks in it can emit carbon monoxide, which is ordinarily released outdoors. This toxic gas can be deadly in large concentrations.

If you’re noticing banging or knocking sounds coming from your furnace, Patterson & Stirling recommends turning it off and calling us at 814-308-0416. Significant natural gas in your furnace or a fractured heat exchanger are hazardous problems that necessitate prompt repairs.

Banging Sounds Coming from Your Ductwork

Your furnace works with ductwork to move heated air across your house. If the ductwork wasn’t installed properly or is getting old, it can be noisy when your furnace is on. This might be the problem if your furnace makes a banging noise when it shuts off. Get in touch with Patterson & Stirling at 814-308-0416 and we’ll figure out 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 usually indicates an electrical situation, like with its transformer, blower motor or capacitor.

Your furnace relies on an internal transformer to run on the right voltage. If wires or the box isn’t tight enough, you may notice a low humming noise in the furnace when off. Your furnace also has a blower motor, which distributes heated or cold air throughout your residence, and a capacitor, which starts the motor. If either of these parts are fading, they will buzz when the furnace turns on.

3. Furnace Making a Rattling Noise

If your furnace is making a rattling noise, it may be the result of something minor, like an unfastened screw, or something serious, like a broken piece. In either case, we urge you to shut your furnace off and getting in touch with our heating specialists at 814-308-0416 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 worn down or a bearing could need to be greased. We are aware that maintenance often slips your mind, but our technicians can get your furnace running quietly again rapidly.

5. Furnace Making a Whistling Noise

When you’re detecting your furnace making a whistling noise, it’s likely due to an air leak in your ductwork. You might also notice whistling while the furnace is running if a floor vent isn’t tight. If you’ve examined your vents but are still sensing sound, Patterson & Stirling can help. It’s critical to get loose ductwork fixed fast, because it can create comfort troubles in your home and increase 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 racket often means there’s an issue with your furnace’s blower. Shut down your furnace off instantly and contact us at 814-308-0416 for help.

When you’re noticing a strange noise from your furnace, Patterson & Stirling is available to support you. Contact us at 814-308-0416 to book your furnace repair appointment now.