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

When your furnace is working properly, it should provide warmth without generating too much sound. While it’s normal to catch your furnace making noise as it starts up, other disruptions are signaling your furnace should get immediate professional assistance.

Here are some of the most reported furnace noises and what they might mean. If your furnace is making an atypical noise, our friendly heating specialists are here to fix the problem with the best furnace repair in Moline, Illinois.

1. Furnace Making a Banging Noise

You may 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 may mean there could be a few problems. These involve gas building up in your furnace or a ductwork situation.

Banging Sounds Coming from Your Furnace

Your heating system becomes filthy over the years, so that’s why it’s important to book seasonal furnace maintenance with J.L. Brady Company LLC. One of the things our pros do during this service is clean your furnace’s burners. When this part gets grubby, you might hear your furnace making a loud rumbling noise if ignition takes longer than normal. The subsequent 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 normally emitted outdoors. This hazardous gas can be fatal in large concentrations.

If you’re aware of banging or knocking sounds coming from your furnace, J.L. Brady Company LLC recommends turning it off and calling us at 309-517-7511. Significant natural gas in your furnace or a fractured heat exchanger are dangerous issues that should get immediate repairs.

Banging Sounds Coming from Your Ductwork

Your furnace relies on ductwork to provide warm air across your residence. If the ductwork wasn’t designed correctly or is aging, it can make a lot of noise when your furnace runs. This might be the issue if your furnace makes a banging noise when it shuts off. Contact J.L. Brady Company LLC at 309-517-7511 and we’ll figure out the problem.

2. Furnace Making a Buzzing Noise

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

Your furnace relies on an internal transformer to run on the right voltage. If wires or the box needs to be tightened, you may detect a low humming noise in the furnace when off. Your furnace also uses a blower motor, which moves hot or cold air throughout your rooms, and a capacitor, which starts the motor. If either of these parts are going out, they will buzz when the furnace switches on.

3. Furnace Makes Rattling Sounds Like Something Is Loose

If your furnace is making a rattling noise, it may be the result of something small, like an unfastened screw, or something serious, like a broken piece. In either case, we recommend shutting off your furnace and contacting our heating specialists at 309-517-7511 for assistance.

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 trying to alert you it requires some TLC. If you’ve forgotten furnace maintenance recently, belts could be worn out or a bearing may need to be greased. We know that maintenance sometimes slips your mind, but our techs can get your furnace heating quietly again fast.

5. Furnace Makes a Whistling Sound Like Air Escaping

When you’re detecting your furnace making a whistling noise, it’s frequently due to an air leak in your ductwork. You might also hear whistling while the furnace is operating if a floor vent isn’t tight. If you’ve checked your vents but are still sensing sound, J.L. Brady Company LLC can provide support. It’s essential to get loose ductwork fixed fast, since it can result in comfort troubles in your house and drive up your energy bills.

6. Furnace Makes Noise that Sounds Like Scraping Metal

It’s not a good sign if you detect your furnace making a grinding noise. This metal-on-metal noise frequently means there’s trouble with your furnace’s blower. Turn off your furnace off promptly and reach our pros at 309-517-7511 for support.

When you’re getting a strange noise from your furnace, J.L. Brady Company LLC is ready to provide assistance. Contact us at 309-517-7511 to schedule your furnace repair appointment today.