When your furnace is operating like it should, it should provide warm air without generating too much sound. While it’s normal to notice your furnace making noise as it starts up, other sounds are indicating your furnace needs immediate professional help.

Here are some of the most common furnace noises and what they might mean. If your furnace is making an odd noise, our friendly heating professionals are here to assist with the best furnace repair in Sandpoint, Idaho.

1. Furnace Makes Banging or Knocking Sounds

You could have a critical issue on your hands if you’re detecting your furnace making a banging noise. If your furnace is making a knocking noise, it can mean there could be several problems. These range from gas building up in your furnace or a ductwork problem.

Banging Sounds Coming from Your Furnace

Your heating system becomes dirty over the years, so that’s why it’s critical to set routine furnace maintenance with Age Heating & Cooling. One of the jobs our techs complete during this service is clean your furnace’s burners. When this component gets grubby, you could hear your furnace making a loud rumbling noise after ignition takes longer than normal. The subsequent gas buildup can break your furnace’s heat exchanger, where natural gas changes into warm air. Any fractures in it can leak carbon monoxide, which is regularly emitted outdoors. This dangerous gas can be fatal in large concentrations.

If you’re aware of banging or knocking sounds coming from your furnace, Age Heating & Cooling recommends turning it off and contacting us at 208-603-2210. Too much natural gas in your furnace or a fractured heat exchanger are critical issues that necessitate prompt attention.

Banging Sounds Coming from Your Ductwork

Your furnace relies on ductwork to move warm air across your home. If the ductwork wasn’t designed right or is aging, it can make a lot of noise when your furnace runs. This can be the case if your furnace makes a banging noise when it shuts off. Contact Age Heating & Cooling at 208-603-2210 and we’ll pinpoint the problem.

2. Furnace Making a Buzzing Noise

If you notice your furnace making a buzzing noise, don’t delay calling us. A buzzing sound usually indicates an electrical problem, like with its transformer, blower motor or capacitor.

Your furnace uses an internal transformer to operate on the proper voltage. If wires or the box is loose, you might hear a low humming noise in the furnace when off. Your furnace also uses a blower motor, which distributes heated or cold air across your rooms, and a capacitor, which triggers the motor. If either of these components are failing, they will buzz when the furnace starts.

3. Furnace Rattles

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 advise shutting your furnace off and calling our heating specialists at 208-603-2210 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 tell you it requires some TLC. If you’ve skipped furnace maintenance the last couple of years, belts could be worn out or a bearing may need to be lubed. We realize that maintenance often slips your mind, but our techs can get your furnace operating quietly again quickly.

5. Furnace Makes a Whistling Sound Like Air Escaping

When you’re noticing your furnace making a whistling noise, it’s typically due to an air leak in your ductwork. You might also hear whistling while the furnace is on if a floor vent isn’t tight. If you’ve examined your vents but are still sensing whistling, Age Heating & Cooling can assist you. It’s critical to get loose ductwork repaired without delay, since it can result in comfort problems in your home and increase your utility bills.

6. Furnace Makes a Loud, Unpleasant Grinding Noise

It’s not a good sign if you hear your furnace making a grinding noise. This metal-on-metal racket frequently means there’s an issue with your furnace’s blower. Turn off your furnace off right away and call us at 208-603-2210 for assistance.

When you’re noticing a weird noise from your furnace, Age Heating & Cooling is available to help. Contact us at 208-603-2210 to request your furnace repair appointment now.