Banging, Hissing and Rattling: What Six Common Furnace Sounds Indicate

When your furnace is working correctly, it should provide warmth without creating too much disruption. While it’s normal to catch your furnace making noise as it begins running, other noises are indicating your furnace should get immediate professional support.

Here are some of the most reported furnace noises and what they could be signaling. If your furnace is making an odd noise, our friendly heating pros are here to fix the problem with the best furnace repair in Irvine, California.

1. Furnace Makes Banging or Knocking Sounds

You could 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 might indicate there could be a few problems. These involve gas accumulating in your furnace or a ductwork issue.

Banging Sounds Coming from Your Furnace

Your heating system turns filthy as time passes, so that’s why it’s important to book annual furnace maintenance with Silver Fox Cooling & Heating. One of the things our techs perform during this service is clean your furnace’s burners. When this part gets grimy, you might hear your furnace making a loud rumbling noise when ignition is delayed. The subsequent gas buildup may crack your furnace’s heat exchanger, where natural gas transforms into heat. Any fractures in it can emit carbon monoxide, which is regularly vented outdoors. This hazardous gas can be deadly in large concentrations.

If you’re aware of banging or knocking sounds coming from your furnace, Silver Fox Cooling & Heating recommends turning it off and reaching us at 949-377-0183. Significant natural gas in your furnace or a ruptured heat exchanger are hazardous troubles that should get prompt service.

Banging Sounds Coming from Your Ductwork

Your furnace works with ductwork to move warm air across your home. If the ductwork wasn’t designed correctly or is getting dated, it can be noisy when your furnace is on. This can be the case if your furnace makes a banging noise when it shuts off. Get in touch with Silver Fox Cooling & Heating at 949-377-0183 and we’ll figure out the problem.

2. Furnace Makes a Buzzing Sound

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

Your furnace relies on an internal transformer to operate on the right voltage. If wires or the box isn’t tight enough, you might hear a low humming noise in the furnace when off. Your furnace also has a blower motor, which distributes warm or cooled air across your rooms, and a capacitor, which turns on the motor. If either of these components are going out, they will buzz when the furnace turns on.

3. Furnace Making a Rattling Noise

If your furnace is making a rattling noise, it can be related to something small, like a loose screw, or something serious, like a broken part. In either case, we recommend shutting off your furnace and contacting our heating specialists at 949-377-0183 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 requires some TLC. If you’ve skipped furnace maintenance the past few years, belts could be worn out or a bearing might need to be lubed. We realize that maintenance frequently slips your mind, but our pros can get your furnace running quietly again quickly.

5. Furnace Whistles

When you’re hearing your furnace making a whistling noise, it’s typically because of an air leak in your ductwork. You could also notice whistling while the furnace is running if a floor vent is loose. If you’ve checked your vents but are still noticing noise, Silver Fox Cooling & Heating can assist you. It’s critical to get loose ductwork fixed without delay, since it can create comfort problems in your house and increase your energy costs.

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 racket frequently means there’s a problem with your furnace’s blower. Switch off your furnace off immediately and reach our pros at 949-377-0183 for assistance.

When you’re getting an uncommon noise from your furnace, Silver Fox Cooling & Heating is available to support you. Contact us at 949-377-0183 to request your furnace repair appointment today.