Banging, Screeching and Rattling: What Six Typical Furnace Noises Indicate

When your furnace is running correctly, it should provide heat without making too much sound. While it’s common to catch your furnace making noise as it starts up, other disruptions are signaling your furnace requires immediate professional assistance.

Here are some of the most common furnace noises and what they can mean. If your furnace is making an atypical noise, our friendly heating professionals are here to assist with the best furnace repair in Sussex County, New Jersey.

1. Furnace Makes Banging or Knocking Sounds

You could have an urgent issue 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 a couple of problems. These involve gas building up in your furnace or a ductwork issue.

Banging Sounds Coming from Your Furnace

Your heating system becomes filthy as time passes, so that’s why it’s essential to schedule seasonal furnace maintenance with Willco Air Conditioning, Refrigeration & Heating Inc.. One of the things our pros do during this appointment is clean your furnace’s burners. When this part gets dirty, you could hear your furnace making a loud rumbling noise after ignition takes longer than normal. The resulting gas buildup may break your furnace’s heat exchanger, where natural gas transforms into heat. Any cracks in it can leak carbon monoxide, which is regularly released away from your home. This hazardous gas can be deadly in large concentrations.

If you’re aware of banging or knocking sounds coming from your furnace, Willco Air Conditioning, Refrigeration & Heating Inc. advises turning it off and reaching us at 973-270-9244. Excessive natural gas in your furnace or a ruptured heat exchanger are hazardous issues that should get prompt service.

Banging Sounds Coming from Your Ductwork

Your furnace relies on ductwork to provide heated air around your house. If the ductwork wasn’t put in properly or is aging, it can be noisy when your furnace is heating. This could be the case if your furnace makes a banging noise when it shuts off. Call Willco Air Conditioning, Refrigeration & Heating Inc. at 973-270-9244 and we’ll pinpoint the problem.

2. Furnace Making a Buzzing Noise

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

Your furnace uses an internal transformer to operate on the proper voltage. If wires or the box is loose, you might notice a low humming noise in the furnace when off. Your furnace also works with a blower motor, which sends heated or cooled air around your space, and a capacitor, which triggers the motor. If either of these parts are fading, they will buzz when the furnace starts.

3. Furnace Rattles

If your furnace is making a rattling noise, it could be related to something minor, like an unfastened screw, or something critical, like a broken part. In either case, we recommend shutting off your furnace and contacting our heating professionals at 973-270-9244 for support.

4. Furnace Making a Squealing Noise

If your furnace makes a high-pitched noise, like squealing, when it’s heating, it’s trying to tell you it requires some TLC. If you’ve neglected furnace maintenance the past few years, belts could be worn down or a bearing might need to be greased. We know that maintenance often slips your mind, but our professionals can get your furnace operating quietly again fast.

5. Furnace Making a Whistling Noise

When you’re hearing your furnace making a whistling noise, it’s likely due to an air leak in your ductwork. You could also notice whistling while the furnace is operating if a floor vent isn’t tight. If you’ve looked at your vents but are still sensing sound, Willco Air Conditioning, Refrigeration & Heating Inc. can provide support. It’s essential to get loose ductwork repaired fast, since it can create comfort troubles in your home and increase your utility bills.

6. Furnace Makes a Loud, Unpleasant Grinding Noise

It’s not a positive sign if you detect your furnace making a grinding noise. This metal-on-metal racket usually means there’s an issue with your furnace’s blower. Turn off your furnace off right away and call our professionals at 973-270-9244 for assistance.

When you’re hearing an uncommon noise from your furnace, Willco Air Conditioning, Refrigeration & Heating Inc. is here to support you. Contact us at 973-270-9244 to schedule your furnace repair appointment today.