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

When your furnace is working properly, it should provide heat without making too much sound. While it’s common to catch your furnace making noise as it begins running, other disruptions are indicating 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 Making a Banging Noise

You could have a critical 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 range from gas building up in your furnace or a ductwork problem.

Banging Sounds Coming from Your Furnace

Your heating system turns dirty as time passes, so that’s why it’s important to schedule annual furnace maintenance with Controlled Comfort HVAC. One of the jobs our technicians do during this appointment is clean your furnace’s burners. When this component gets grimy, you might hear your furnace making a loud rumbling noise if ignition is delayed. The following gas buildup may break your furnace’s heat exchanger, where natural gas transforms into warm air. Any cracks in it can leak carbon monoxide, which is ordinarily emitted outside. 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. Significant natural gas in your furnace or a cracked heat exchanger are hazardous troubles that should get fast attention.

Banging Sounds Coming from Your Ductwork

Your furnace relies on ductwork to provide warm air throughout your home. If the ductwork wasn’t installed properly or is aging, it can be noisy when your furnace is heating. This could be the issue if your furnace makes a banging noise when it shuts off. Get in touch with Controlled Comfort HVAC at 224-412-8308 and we’ll figure out the problem.

2. Furnace Making a Buzzing Noise

If you notice your furnace making a buzzing noise, don’t delay calling us. A buzzing sound often is telling you there’s an electrical issue, like with its transformer, blower motor or capacitor.

Your furnace depends on an internal transformer to operate on the correct voltage. If wires or the box isn’t tight enough, you may hear a low humming noise in the furnace when off. Your furnace also uses a blower motor, which distributes warm or cold air throughout your space, and a capacitor, which triggers the motor. If either of these pieces are failing, they will buzz when the furnace switches on.

3. Furnace Making a Rattling Noise

If your furnace is making a rattling noise, it may be due to something minor, like a loose screw, or something critical, like a broken component. In either case, we advise shutting your furnace off and contacting our heating pros at 224-412-8308 for support.

4. Furnace Making a Squealing Noise

If your furnace makes a high-pitched noise, like squealing, when it’s on, it’s attempting to tell you it needs some TLC. If you’ve neglected furnace maintenance the last couple of years, belts could be worn out or a bearing could need to be lubed. We realize that maintenance sometimes slips your mind, but our pros can get your furnace heating 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 running if a floor vent isn’t tight. If you’ve checked your vents but are still hearing whistling, Controlled Comfort HVAC can provide support. It’s important to get loose ductwork taken care of without delay, because it can create comfort troubles in your residence and increase your gas bills.

6. Furnace Making a Grinding Noise

It’s not an encouraging sign if you notice your furnace making a grinding noise. This metal-on-metal sound often means there’s trouble with your furnace’s blower. Shut down your furnace off immediately and reach our professionals at 224-412-8308 for support.

When you’re getting an uncommon noise from your furnace, Controlled Comfort HVAC is here to support you. Contact us at 224-412-8308 to book your furnace repair appointment now.