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

When your furnace is operating correctly, it should provide warmth without creating too much noise. While it’s normal to hear your furnace making noise as it starts up, other noises are signaling your furnace should get immediate professional help.

Here are some of the most common furnace noises and what they can mean. If your furnace is making a strange noise, our friendly heating specialists are here to assist with the best furnace repair in Moline, Illinois.

1. Furnace Makes Banging or Knocking Sounds

You could have a serious problem 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 building up in your furnace or a ductwork situation.

Banging Sounds Coming from Your Furnace

Your heating system turns grimy over the years, so that’s why it’s critical to set seasonal furnace maintenance with J.L. Brady Company LLC. One of the things our technicians complete during this work is clean your furnace’s burners. When this piece gets grimy, you could hear your furnace making a loud rumbling noise when ignition is delayed. The resulting gas buildup can fracture your furnace’s heat exchanger, where natural gas changes into warm air. Any cracks in it can discharge carbon monoxide, which is normally released away from your home. This hazardous gas can be lethal in large concentrations.

If you’re noticing banging or knocking sounds coming from your furnace, J.L. Brady Company LLC recommends turning it off and contacting us at 309-517-7511. Significant natural gas in your furnace or a ruptured heat exchanger are dangerous issues that necessitate immediate attention.

Banging Sounds Coming from Your Ductwork

Your furnace relies on ductwork to provide heated air around your residence. If the ductwork wasn’t put in right or is getting dated, it can be loud when your furnace is heating. This could be the issue if your furnace makes a banging noise when it shuts off. Call J.L. Brady Company LLC at 309-517-7511 and we’ll figure out the problem.

2. Furnace Making a Buzzing Noise

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

Your furnace depends on an internal transformer to work on the right voltage. If wires or the box isn’t tight enough, you could notice a low humming noise in the furnace when off. Your furnace also has a blower motor, which distributes warm or chilly air around your house, and a capacitor, which triggers the motor. If either of these pieces are failing, 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 due to something little, like an unsecure screw, or something critical, like a broken part. In either case, we recommend shutting off your furnace and calling our heating professionals at 309-517-7511 for support.

4. Furnace Is Making a High-Pitched Squealing Sound

If your furnace makes a high-pitched noise, like squealing, when it’s running, it’s making an effort to alert you it could use some TLC. If you’ve skipped furnace maintenance the last couple of years, belts could be worn down or a bearing may need to be lubricated. We realize that maintenance frequently slips your mind, but our pros can get your furnace running 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 may also hear whistling while the furnace is on if a floor vent isn’t tight. If you’ve looked at your vents but are still sensing sound, J.L. Brady Company LLC can help. It’s essential to get loose ductwork repaired quickly, as it can result in comfort problems in your home and increase your utility expenses.

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 sound frequently means there’s trouble with your furnace’s blower. Switch off your furnace off promptly and contact us at 309-517-7511 for help.

When you’re noticing an uncommon noise from your furnace, J.L. Brady Company LLC is here to provide assistance. Contact us at 309-517-7511 to schedule your furnace repair appointment now.