Banging, Hissing and Rattling: What Six Familiar Furnace Noises Indicate

When your furnace is operating correctly, it should deliver heat without making too much sound. While it’s expected to catch your furnace making noise as it begins running, other noises are indicating your furnace needs immediate professional support.

Here are some of the most reported furnace noises and what they can be indicating. If your furnace is making an odd noise, our friendly heating pros are here to assist with the best furnace repair in Smyrna, Delaware.

1. Furnace Makes a Banging Sound

You may have a serious issue on your hands if you’re noticing your furnace making a banging noise. If your furnace is making a knocking noise, it can 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 filthy over the years, so that’s why it’s essential to book routine furnace maintenance with Fletcher Plumbing, Heating & AC. One of the things our professionals complete 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 takes more time. The subsequent gas buildup can crack your furnace’s heat exchanger, where natural gas changes into warm air. Any fractures in it can discharge carbon monoxide, which is regularly released outside. This toxic gas can be lethal in large concentrations.

If you’re noticing banging or knocking sounds coming from your furnace, Fletcher Plumbing, Heating & AC urges you to turn it off and contacting us at 302-653-0503. Excessive natural gas in your furnace or a broken heat exchanger are dangerous problems that require fast attention.

Banging Sounds Coming from Your Ductwork

Your furnace works with ductwork to provide heated air across your home. If the ductwork wasn’t designed correctly or is aging, it can be loud when your furnace runs. This may be the issue if your furnace makes a banging noise when it shuts off. Call Fletcher Plumbing, Heating & AC at 302-653-0503 and we’ll determine the problem.

2. Furnace Makes a Buzzing Sound

If you notice your furnace making a buzzing noise, don’t delay calling us. A buzzing sound typically indicates an electrical problem, 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 is loose, you could hear a low humming noise in the furnace when off. Your furnace also uses a blower motor, which sends heated or cooled air throughout your residence, and a capacitor, which triggers the motor. If either of these components are going out, 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 related to something minor, like a loose screw, or something serious, like a broken component. In either case, we advise shutting your furnace off and calling our heating specialists at 302-653-0503 for support.

4. Furnace Making a Squealing Noise

If your furnace makes a high-pitched noise, like squealing, when it’s running, it’s trying to alert you it requires some TLC. If you’ve neglected furnace maintenance the past few years, belts could be worn out or a bearing may need to be lubed. We realize that maintenance often slips your mind, but our pros can get your furnace operating quietly again fast.

5. Furnace Whistles

When you’re detecting your furnace making a whistling noise, it’s frequently because of an air leak in your ductwork. You may also notice whistling while the furnace is working if a floor vent is loose. If you’ve looked at your vents but are still sensing noise, Fletcher Plumbing, Heating & AC can help. It’s essential to get loose ductwork taken care of without delay, as it can create comfort problems in your residence and inflate your heating bills.

6. Furnace Makes a Loud, Unpleasant Grinding Noise

It’s not an encouraging sign if you notice your furnace making a grinding noise. This metal-on-metal noise usually means there’s trouble with your furnace’s blower. Shut down your furnace off instantly and reach our professionals at 302-653-0503 for support.

When you’re getting a strange noise from your furnace, Fletcher Plumbing, Heating & AC is here to provide assistance. Contact us at 302-653-0503 to book your furnace repair appointment now.