When your furnace is operating like it should, it should give warm air without making too much disruption. While it’s expected to catch your furnace making noise as it turns on, other sounds are indicating your furnace requires immediate professional help.

Here are some of the most reported furnace noises and what they might mean. If your furnace is making an atypical noise, our friendly heating pros are here to help with the best furnace repair in Beckley, West Virginia.

1. Furnace Makes Banging or Knocking Sounds

You could have an urgent problem on your hands if you’re detecting your furnace making a banging noise. If your furnace is making a knocking noise, it may mean there could be a couple of problems. These include gas building up in your furnace or a ductwork issue.

Banging Sounds Coming from Your Furnace

Your heating system turns dirty over time, so that’s why it’s essential to schedule annual furnace maintenance with Appalachian Heating. One of the things our professionals do during this appointment is clean your furnace’s burners. When this part gets dirty, you could hear your furnace making a loud rumbling noise if ignition takes more time. The resulting gas buildup may fracture your furnace’s heat exchanger, where natural gas turns into heat. Any breaks in it can emit carbon monoxide, which is regularly emitted outdoors. This hazardous gas can be fatal in large concentrations.

If you’re aware of banging or knocking sounds coming from your furnace, Appalachian Heating recommends turning it off and reaching us at 304-707-0600. Significant natural gas in your furnace or a ruptured heat exchanger are serious problems that necessitate prompt attention.

Banging Sounds Coming from Your Ductwork

Your furnace uses ductwork to provide hot air across your home. If the ductwork wasn’t installed correctly or is getting dated, it can make a lot of noise when your furnace runs. This may be the problem if your furnace makes a banging noise when it shuts off. Call Appalachian Heating at 304-707-0600 and we’ll figure out the problem.

2. Furnace Making a Buzzing Noise

If you observe your furnace making a buzzing noise, don’t hesitate to call us. A buzzing sound typically is telling you there’s an electrical issue, like with its transformer, blower motor or capacitor.

Your furnace depends on an internal transformer to work on the right 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 cooled air across your rooms, and a capacitor, which starts the motor. If either of these pieces 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 due to something small, like an unfastened screw, or something major, like a broken piece. In either case, we recommend shutting off your furnace and getting in touch with our heating pros at 304-707-0600 for support.

4. Furnace Making a Squealing Noise

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

5. Furnace Whistles

When you’re detecting your furnace making a whistling noise, it’s typically because of an air leak in your ductwork. You might also be aware of whistling while the furnace is running if a floor vent isn’t tight. If you’ve examined your vents but are still hearing whistling, Appalachian Heating can help. It’s essential to get loose ductwork repaired fast, because it can result in comfort issues in your house and drive up your energy expenses.

6. Furnace Making a Grinding Noise

It’s not a good sign if you detect your furnace making a grinding noise. This metal-on-metal racket usually means there’s an issue with your furnace’s blower. Turn off your furnace off right away and contact our pros at 304-707-0600 for assistance.

When you’re hearing an uncommon noise from your furnace, Appalachian Heating is here to help. Contact us at 304-707-0600 to request your furnace repair appointment now.