When your furnace is operating correctly, it should provide warm air without creating too much sound. While it’s normal to notice your furnace making noise as it turns on, other sounds are signaling your furnace should get immediate professional support.

Here are some of the most frequent furnace noises and what they might be signaling. If your furnace is making an atypical noise, our friendly heating professionals are here to assist with the best furnace repair in Greater Richmond, Virginia.

1. Furnace Makes Banging or Knocking Sounds

You may have a critical situation on your hands if you’re hearing your furnace making a banging noise. If your furnace is making a knocking noise, it may indicate there could be a few problems. These involve gas building up in your furnace or a ductwork issue.

Banging Sounds Coming from Your Furnace

Your heating system becomes filthy as time passes, so that’s why it’s important to set yearly furnace maintenance with Herman Allen Plumbing, Heating & Cooling. One of the things our techs do during this service is clean your furnace’s burners. When this piece gets grimy, you may hear your furnace making a loud rumbling noise after ignition takes more time. The following gas buildup might break your furnace’s heat exchanger, where natural gas turns into heat. Any fractures in it can emit carbon monoxide, which is normally vented outdoors. This hazardous gas can be fatal in large concentrations.

If you’re hearing banging or knocking sounds coming from your furnace, Herman Allen Plumbing, Heating & Cooling advises turning it off and contacting us at 804-302-6657. Significant natural gas in your furnace or a cracked heat exchanger are serious issues that necessitate fast service.

Banging Sounds Coming from Your Ductwork

Your furnace relies on ductwork to deliver hot air across your home. If the ductwork wasn’t installed properly or is getting old, it can be noisy when your furnace runs. This can be the case if your furnace makes a banging noise when it shuts off. Call Herman Allen Plumbing, Heating & Cooling at 804-302-6657 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 often indicates an electrical issue, like with its transformer, blower motor or capacitor.

Your furnace relies on an internal transformer to work on the proper voltage. If wires or the box is loose, you might notice a low humming noise in the furnace when off. Your furnace also works with a blower motor, which distributes hot or cold air throughout your residence, and a capacitor, which turns on the motor. If either of these components are fading, they will buzz when the furnace turns on.

3. Furnace Makes Rattling Sounds Like Something Is Loose

If your furnace is making a rattling noise, it can be related to something small, like an unsecure screw, or something critical, like a broken piece. In either case, we recommend shutting off your furnace and contacting our heating pros at 804-302-6657 for help.

4. Furnace Squeals

If your furnace makes a high-pitched noise, like squealing, when it’s on, it’s attempting to tell you it could use some TLC. If you’ve skipped furnace maintenance recently, belts could be worn down or a bearing might need to be greased. We are aware that maintenance often slips your mind, but our technicians can get your furnace operating quietly again fast.

5. Furnace Whistles

When you’re noticing your furnace making a whistling noise, it’s likely the result of an air leak in your ductwork. You could also be aware of whistling while the furnace is running if a floor vent is loose. If you’ve looked at your vents but are still noticing whistling, Herman Allen Plumbing, Heating & Cooling can help. It’s critical to get loose ductwork taken care of without delay, since it can make comfort issues in your home and drive up your heating costs.

6. Furnace Makes Noise that Sounds Like Scraping Metal

It’s not an encouraging sign if you detect your furnace making a grinding noise. This metal-on-metal noise often means there’s a problem with your furnace’s blower. Turn off your furnace off immediately and contact our professionals at 804-302-6657 for assistance.

When you’re hearing an uncommon noise from your furnace, Herman Allen Plumbing, Heating & Cooling is ready to support you. Contact us at 804-302-6657 to schedule your furnace repair appointment right away.