Clanging, Hissing and Rattling: What Six Typical Furnace Noises Mean

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

Here are some of the most frequent furnace noises and what they can be indicating. If your furnace is making a weird noise, our friendly heating pros are here to assist with the best furnace repair in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin.

1. Furnace Making a Banging Noise

You may have a critical situation on your hands if you’re noticing your furnace making a banging noise. If your furnace is making a knocking noise, it can mean there could be a few problems. These include gas accumulating in your furnace or a ductwork situation.

Banging Sounds Coming from Your Furnace

Your heating system gets dirty over the years, so that’s why it’s essential to schedule seasonal furnace maintenance with Rapids Sheet Metal Works Inc. One of the things our technicians complete during this work is clean your furnace’s burners. When this piece gets dirty, you may hear your furnace making a loud rumbling noise when ignition takes longer than normal. The subsequent gas buildup may fracture your furnace’s heat exchanger, where natural gas turns into warmth. Any cracks in it can discharge carbon monoxide, which is normally emitted outdoors. This dangerous gas can be fatal in large concentrations.

If you’re aware of banging or knocking sounds coming from your furnace, Rapids Sheet Metal Works Inc advises turning it off and reaching us at 715-301-0256. Significant natural gas in your furnace or a broken heat exchanger are hazardous troubles that should get prompt service.

Banging Sounds Coming from Your Ductwork

Your furnace works with ductwork to deliver warm air around your residence. If the ductwork wasn’t installed right or is getting old, it can be loud when your furnace is on. This could be the problem if your furnace makes a banging noise when it shuts off. Contact Rapids Sheet Metal Works Inc at 715-301-0256 and we’ll determine the problem.

2. Furnace Makes a Buzzing Sound

If you hear your furnace making a buzzing noise, don’t delay calling us. A buzzing sound usually indicates an electrical issue, like with its transformer, blower motor or capacitor.

Your furnace relies on an internal transformer to run on the proper voltage. If wires or the box needs to be tightened, you might hear a low humming noise in the furnace when off. Your furnace also has a blower motor, which moves hot or cold air around your rooms, and a capacitor, which triggers the motor. If either of these parts 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 could be the result of something small, like an unfastened screw, or something major, like a broken piece. In either case, we urge you to shut your furnace off and calling our heating professionals at 715-301-0256 for support.

4. Furnace Is Making a High-Pitched Squealing Sound

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

5. Furnace Makes a Whistling Sound Like Air Escaping

When you’re noticing 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 running if a floor vent is loose. If you’ve examined your vents but are still sensing sound, Rapids Sheet Metal Works Inc can provide support. It’s important to get loose ductwork taken care of quickly, because it can make comfort problems in your house and drive up your utility expenses.

6. Furnace Makes a Loud, Unpleasant Grinding Noise

It’s not a good sign if you hear 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 instantly and call our professionals at 715-301-0256 for support.

When you’re noticing an uncommon noise from your furnace, Rapids Sheet Metal Works Inc is available to support you. Contact us at 715-301-0256 to schedule your furnace repair appointment right away.