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

When your furnace is operating properly, it should deliver warmth without making too much sound. While it’s normal to notice your furnace making noise as it begins running, other noises are signaling your furnace needs immediate professional help.

Here are some of the most frequent furnace noises and what they could be signaling. If your furnace is making an atypical noise, our friendly heating pros are here to assist with the best furnace repair in Wyandotte, Michigan .

1. Furnace Makes Banging or Knocking Sounds

You could have an urgent problem on your hands if you’re hearing 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 problem.

Banging Sounds Coming from Your Furnace

Your heating system turns filthy over time, so that’s why it’s essential to schedule seasonal furnace maintenance with Gee & Missler Heating & Air Conditioning. One of the tasks our technicians complete during this appointment is clean your furnace’s burners. When this piece gets dirty, you may hear your furnace making a loud rumbling noise if ignition takes longer than normal. The subsequent gas buildup might fracture your furnace’s heat exchanger, where natural gas transforms into warmth. Any cracks in it can emit carbon monoxide, which is normally vented outside. This dangerous gas can be lethal in large concentrations.

If you’re aware of banging or knocking sounds coming from your furnace, Gee & Missler Heating & Air Conditioning advises turning it off and calling us at 734-284-1224. Too much natural gas in your furnace or a cracked heat exchanger are dangerous issues that necessitate prompt service.

Banging Sounds Coming from Your Ductwork

Your furnace relies on ductwork to deliver heated air around your home. If the ductwork wasn’t installed properly or is getting dated, it can make a lot of noise when your furnace is heating. This can be the issue if your furnace makes a banging noise when it shuts off. Call Gee & Missler Heating & Air Conditioning at 734-284-1224 and we’ll determine the problem.

2. Furnace Makes a Buzzing Sound

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

Your furnace depends on an internal transformer to work on the correct voltage. If wires or the box isn’t tight enough, you could hear a low humming noise in the furnace when off. Your furnace also works with a blower motor, which sends warm or chilly air across your space, and a capacitor, which starts the motor. If either of these components are failing, 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 could be the result of something little, like an unsecure screw, or something serious, like a broken component. In either case, we advise shutting your furnace off and calling our heating specialists at 734-284-1224 for help.

4. Furnace Squeals

If your furnace makes a high-pitched noise, like squealing, when it’s on, it’s making an effort to tell you it needs some TLC. If you’ve forgotten furnace maintenance the last couple of years, belts could be worn down or a bearing might need to be lubed. We know that maintenance frequently slips your mind, but our pros can get your furnace operating quietly again rapidly.

5. Furnace Making a Whistling Noise

When you’re noticing your furnace making a whistling noise, it’s frequently due to an air leak in your ductwork. You might also be aware of whistling while the furnace is on if a floor vent is loose. If you’ve looked at your vents but are still hearing sound, Gee & Missler Heating & Air Conditioning can provide support. It’s important to get loose ductwork repaired fast, because it can result in comfort problems in your home and increase your heating expenses.

6. Furnace Makes Noise that Sounds Like Scraping Metal

It’s not a positive sign if you hear your furnace making a grinding noise. This metal-on-metal noise typically means there’s trouble with your furnace’s blower. Switch off your furnace off right away and contact our pros at 734-284-1224 for assistance.

When you’re getting a weird noise from your furnace, Gee & Missler Heating & Air Conditioning is ready to help. Contact us at 734-284-1224 to book your furnace repair appointment now.