When your furnace is running properly, it should provide warmth without generating too much noise. While it’s normal to hear your furnace making noise as it turns on, other noises are showing your furnace needs immediate professional support.

Here are some of the most common furnace noises and what they can be signaling. If your furnace is making an odd noise, our friendly heating professionals are here to fix the problem with the best furnace repair in Manassas, Virginia.

1. Furnace Makes Banging or Knocking Sounds

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

Banging Sounds Coming from Your Furnace

Your heating system gets dirty as time passes, so that’s why it’s critical to book annual furnace maintenance with Fire & Ice HVAC. One of the tasks our pros perform during this work is clean your furnace’s burners. When this component gets dirty, you might hear your furnace making a loud rumbling noise after ignition is delayed. The ensuing gas buildup can crack your furnace’s heat exchanger, where natural gas changes into heat. Any fractures in it can leak carbon monoxide, which is regularly released away from your home. This toxic gas can be lethal in large concentrations.

If you’re aware of banging or knocking sounds coming from your furnace, Fire & Ice HVAC advises turning it off and calling us at 703-595-4157. Too much natural gas in your furnace or a broken heat exchanger are serious troubles that should get prompt repairs.

Banging Sounds Coming from Your Ductwork

Your furnace uses ductwork to move hot air across your residence. If the ductwork wasn’t installed properly or is getting dated, it can make a lot of noise when your furnace is on. This may be the problem if your furnace makes a banging noise when it shuts off. Call Fire & Ice HVAC at 703-595-4157 and we’ll pinpoint the problem.

2. Furnace Makes a Buzzing Sound

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

Your furnace uses an internal transformer to run on the proper voltage. If wires or the box needs to be tightened, you could notice a low humming noise in the furnace when off. Your furnace also uses a blower motor, which sends hot or cooled air across your space, 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 can be related to something minor, like an unfastened screw, or something serious, like a broken part. In either case, we recommend shutting off your furnace and contacting our heating professionals at 703-595-4157 for support.

4. Furnace Is Making a High-Pitched Squealing Sound

If your furnace makes a high-pitched noise, like squealing, when it’s on, it’s making an effort to get your attention 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 know that maintenance often slips your mind, but our techs can get your furnace operating quietly again fast.

5. Furnace Making a Whistling Noise

When you’re detecting your furnace making a whistling noise, it’s frequently because of an air leak in your ductwork. You could also notice whistling while the furnace is working if a floor vent isn’t secure. If you’ve examined your vents but are still sensing sound, Fire & Ice HVAC can provide support. It’s critical to get loose ductwork fixed fast, since it can result in comfort problems in your home and inflate your energy expenses.

6. Furnace Making a Grinding Noise

It’s not a positive sign if you notice your furnace making a grinding noise. This metal-on-metal noise often means there’s a problem with your furnace’s blower. Switch off your furnace off right away and call us at 703-595-4157 for assistance.

When you’re hearing a strange noise from your furnace, Fire & Ice HVAC is available to support you. Contact us at 703-595-4157 to request your furnace repair appointment now.