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

When your furnace is operating like it should, it should provide heat without making too much disruption. While it’s expected to catch your furnace making noise as it turns on, other noises are indicating your furnace needs immediate professional assistance.

Here are some of the most reported furnace noises and what they could be signaling. If your furnace is making a strange noise, our friendly heating professionals are here to fix the problem with the best furnace repair in Odessa, Texas.

1. Furnace Makes Banging or Knocking Sounds

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 can mean there could be a couple of problems. These range from gas accumulating in your furnace or a ductwork issue.

Banging Sounds Coming from Your Furnace

Your heating system gets dirty as time passes, so that’s why it’s important to schedule seasonal furnace maintenance with Redhawk Heating & Air Conditioning. One of the tasks our pros complete during this service is clean your furnace’s burners. When this component gets dirty, you may hear your furnace making a loud rumbling noise if ignition takes longer than normal. The following gas buildup might break your furnace’s heat exchanger, where natural gas transforms into warm air. Any cracks in it can leak carbon monoxide, which is regularly vented away from your home. This toxic gas can be fatal in large concentrations.

If you’re aware of banging or knocking sounds coming from your furnace, Redhawk Heating & Air Conditioning recommends turning it off and calling us at 432-237-0168. Significant natural gas in your furnace or a cracked heat exchanger are critical troubles that should get immediate attention.

Banging Sounds Coming from Your Ductwork

Your furnace works with ductwork to provide warm air around your home. If the ductwork wasn’t designed properly or is getting old, it can make a lot of noise when your furnace is on. This can be the issue if your furnace makes a banging noise when it shuts off. Contact Redhawk Heating & Air Conditioning at 432-237-0168 and we’ll determine the problem.

2. Furnace Making a Buzzing Noise

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

Your furnace depends on an internal transformer to work on the proper voltage. If wires or the box needs to be tightened, you could notice a low humming noise in the furnace when off. Your furnace also has a blower motor, which distributes heated or cold air throughout your rooms, and a capacitor, which triggers the motor. If either of these parts are going out, they will buzz when the furnace starts.

3. Furnace Makes Rattling Sounds Like Something Is Loose

If your furnace is making a rattling noise, it can be the result of something small, like a loose screw, or something critical, like a broken part. In either case, we recommend shutting off your furnace and getting in touch with our heating pros at 432-237-0168 for assistance.

4. Furnace Squeals

If your furnace makes a high-pitched noise, like squealing, when it’s on, it’s trying to get your attention it could use some TLC. If you’ve neglected furnace maintenance recently, belts could be worn out or a bearing may need to be lubricated. We know that maintenance frequently slips your mind, but our technicians can get your furnace running quietly again fast.

5. Furnace Whistles

When you’re hearing your furnace making a whistling noise, it’s likely the result of an air leak in your ductwork. You may also be aware of whistling while the furnace is working if a floor vent isn’t secure. If you’ve checked your vents but are still noticing whistling, Redhawk Heating & Air Conditioning can help. It’s important to get loose ductwork repaired without delay, because it can create comfort troubles in your residence and inflate your energy expenses.

6. Furnace Makes a Loud, Unpleasant Grinding Noise

It’s not a good sign if you notice your furnace making a grinding noise. This metal-on-metal sound typically means there’s an issue with your furnace’s blower. Switch off your furnace off right away and reach us at 432-237-0168 for support.

When you’re hearing a weird noise from your furnace, Redhawk Heating & Air Conditioning is ready to support you. Contact us at 432-237-0168 to request your furnace repair appointment today.