Clanging, Hissing and Rattling: What Six Typical Furnace Sounds Can Mean

When your furnace is running like it should, it should deliver heat without making too much sound. While it’s common to hear your furnace making noise as it turns on, other sounds are showing your furnace should get immediate professional assistance.

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

1. Furnace Makes Banging or Knocking Sounds

You may 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 might indicate there could be a couple of problems. These include gas building up in your furnace or a ductwork problem.

Banging Sounds Coming from Your Furnace

Your heating system turns filthy over time, so that’s why it’s important to schedule annual furnace maintenance with Controlled Comfort HVAC. One of the things our pros complete during this service is clean your furnace’s burners. When this component gets grimy, you may hear your furnace making a loud rumbling noise after ignition is delayed. The following gas buildup can fracture your furnace’s heat exchanger, where natural gas changes into warm air. Any breaks in it can leak carbon monoxide, which is normally vented away from your home. This toxic gas can be lethal in large concentrations.

If you’re aware of banging or knocking sounds coming from your furnace, Controlled Comfort HVAC recommends turning it off and calling us at 224-412-8308. Too much natural gas in your furnace or a fractured heat exchanger are serious issues that require fast repairs.

Banging Sounds Coming from Your Ductwork

Your furnace relies on ductwork to move warm air around your home. If the ductwork wasn’t put in correctly or is getting old, it can be noisy when your furnace runs. This could be the problem if your furnace makes a banging noise when it shuts off. Call Controlled Comfort HVAC at 224-412-8308 and we’ll pinpoint the problem.

2. Furnace Buzzes Constantly

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

Your furnace uses an internal transformer to run on the correct voltage. If wires or the box is loose, you could hear a low humming noise in the furnace when off. Your furnace also works with a blower motor, which sends hot or chilly air throughout your home, and a capacitor, which turns on the motor. If either of these components are fading, they will buzz when the furnace switches on.

3. Furnace Rattles

If your furnace is making a rattling noise, it could be related to something small, like a loose screw, or something serious, like a broken part. In either case, we advise shutting your furnace off and calling our heating specialists at 224-412-8308 for support.

4. Furnace Squeals

If your furnace makes a high-pitched noise, like squealing, when it’s going, it’s attempting to get your attention it requires some TLC. If you’ve skipped furnace maintenance the past few years, belts could be worn down or a bearing might need to be lubricated. We know that maintenance sometimes slips your mind, but our techs can get your furnace operating quietly again quickly.

5. Furnace Makes a Whistling Sound Like Air Escaping

When you’re hearing your furnace making a whistling noise, it’s frequently due to an air leak in your ductwork. You may also notice whistling while the furnace is running if a floor vent is loose. If you’ve checked your vents but are still noticing noise, Controlled Comfort HVAC can assist you. It’s essential to get loose ductwork taken care of quickly, as it can create comfort problems in your residence and increase your energy expenses.

6. Furnace Making a Grinding Noise

It’s not an encouraging sign if you hear your furnace making a grinding noise. This metal-on-metal racket frequently means there’s an issue with your furnace’s blower. Shut down your furnace off promptly and call our professionals at 224-412-8308 for help.

When you’re noticing a strange noise from your furnace, Controlled Comfort HVAC is ready to support you. Contact us at 224-412-8308 to book your furnace repair appointment today.