When your furnace is operating correctly, it should deliver warmth without generating too much sound. While it’s expected to hear your furnace making noise as it turns on, other disruptions are signaling your furnace needs immediate professional assistance.

Here are some of the most reported furnace noises and what they might mean. If your furnace is making a weird noise, our friendly heating pros are here to fix the problem with the best furnace repair in Greater Richmond, Virginia.

1. Furnace Makes Banging or Knocking Sounds

You may have a serious 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 several 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 essential to set routine furnace maintenance with Herman Allen Plumbing, Heating & Cooling. One of the jobs our pros do during this appointment is clean your furnace’s burners. When this component gets dirty, you might hear your furnace making a loud rumbling noise if ignition takes more time. The ensuing gas buildup may crack your furnace’s heat exchanger, where natural gas transforms into warmth. Any breaks in it can emit carbon monoxide, which is regularly released outdoors. This hazardous gas can be lethal 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 reaching us at 804-302-6657. Significant natural gas in your furnace or a cracked heat exchanger are critical troubles that necessitate fast attention.

Banging Sounds Coming from Your Ductwork

Your furnace uses ductwork to move hot air around your home. If the ductwork wasn’t installed correctly or is getting dated, it can be loud when your furnace is heating. This may 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 Making a Buzzing Noise

If you observe your furnace making a buzzing noise, don’t wait to call us. A buzzing sound usually indicates an electrical situation, like with its transformer, blower motor or capacitor.

Your furnace relies on an internal transformer to work on the right voltage. If wires or the box isn’t tight enough, you might notice a low humming noise in the furnace when off. Your furnace also works with a blower motor, which moves hot or cold air throughout your space, 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 Makes Rattling Sounds Like Something Is Loose

If your furnace is making a rattling noise, it could be due to something small, like an unfastened screw, or something major, like a broken component. In either case, we urge you to shut your furnace off and getting in touch with our heating professionals at 804-302-6657 for assistance.

4. Furnace Squeals

If your furnace makes a high-pitched noise, like squealing, when it’s heating, it’s making an effort to alert you it needs some TLC. If you’ve skipped furnace maintenance the last couple of years, belts could be worn out or a bearing might need to be lubricated. We know that maintenance often slips your mind, but our techs can get your furnace heating quietly again fast.

5. Furnace Whistles

When you’re detecting your furnace making a whistling noise, it’s frequently the result of an air leak in your ductwork. You could also notice whistling while the furnace is running if a floor vent isn’t tight. If you’ve looked at your vents but are still noticing whistling, Herman Allen Plumbing, Heating & Cooling can assist you. It’s essential to get loose ductwork fixed fast, as it can make comfort problems in your residence and drive up your energy costs.

6. Furnace Makes Noise that Sounds Like Scraping Metal

It’s not an encouraging sign if you hear your furnace making a grinding noise. This metal-on-metal racket typically means there’s trouble with your furnace’s blower. Shut down your furnace off promptly and reach our professionals at 804-302-6657 for help.

When you’re noticing an uncommon noise from your furnace, Herman Allen Plumbing, Heating & Cooling is available to help. Contact us at 804-302-6657 to book your furnace repair appointment today.