When your furnace is operating correctly, it should give warmth without creating too much noise. While it’s normal to catch your furnace making noise as it starts up, other noises are showing your furnace requires immediate professional help.

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

1. Furnace Makes Banging or Knocking Sounds

You could have an urgent issue on your hands if you’re detecting your furnace making a banging noise. If your furnace is making a knocking noise, it may mean there could be several problems. These involve gas increasing in your furnace or a ductwork problem.

Banging Sounds Coming from Your Furnace

Your heating system gets dirty as time passes, so that’s why it’s essential to book annual furnace maintenance with Patterson & Stirling. One of the jobs our professionals do during this appointment is clean your furnace’s burners. When this part gets grubby, you may hear your furnace making a loud rumbling noise when ignition is delayed. The following gas buildup can fracture your furnace’s heat exchanger, where natural gas transforms into warm air. Any cracks in it can leak carbon monoxide, which is normally emitted outdoors. This toxic gas can be deadly in large concentrations.

If you’re hearing banging or knocking sounds coming from your furnace, Patterson & Stirling advises turning it off and calling us at 814-308-0416. Too much natural gas in your furnace or a cracked heat exchanger are serious problems that should get prompt service.

Banging Sounds Coming from Your Ductwork

Your furnace works with ductwork to provide hot air around your house. If the ductwork wasn’t put in right or is getting old, it can be loud when your furnace is on. This might be the issue 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 Buzzes Constantly

If you observe your furnace making a buzzing noise, don’t wait to call us. A buzzing sound often means there’s an electrical situation, like with its transformer, blower motor or capacitor.

Your furnace relies on an internal transformer to operate on the proper voltage. If wires or the box needs to be tightened, you may notice a low humming noise in the furnace when off. Your furnace also uses a blower motor, which sends hot or cooled air around your residence, and a capacitor, which turns on the motor. If either of these components are fading, they will buzz when the furnace starts.

3. Furnace Making a Rattling Noise

If your furnace is making a rattling noise, it may be due to something little, like an unfastened screw, or something serious, like a broken component. In either case, we recommend shutting off your furnace and getting in touch with our heating pros at 814-308-0416 for support.

4. Furnace Squeals

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

5. Furnace Makes a Whistling Sound Like Air Escaping

When you’re noticing your furnace making a whistling noise, it’s typically due to an air leak in your ductwork. You may also be aware of whistling while the furnace is working if a floor vent isn’t tight. If you’ve checked your vents but are still hearing whistling, Patterson & Stirling can help. It’s important to get loose ductwork repaired quickly, because it can make comfort troubles in your home and increase your utility costs.

6. Furnace Makes a Loud, Unpleasant Grinding Noise

It’s not a positive sign if you hear your furnace making a grinding noise. This metal-on-metal racket frequently means there’s a problem with your furnace’s blower. Shut down your furnace off promptly and call us at 814-308-0416 for help.

When you’re getting a weird noise from your furnace, Patterson & Stirling is ready to help. Contact us at 814-308-0416 to request your furnace repair appointment now.