When your furnace is operating properly, it should provide heat without creating too much disruption. While it’s normal to catch your furnace making noise as it begins running, other noises are signaling your furnace needs immediate professional help.

Here are some of the most reported furnace noises and what they can mean. If your furnace is making an odd noise, our friendly heating specialists are here to assist with the best furnace repair in Rapid City, South Dakota.

1. Furnace Making a Banging Noise

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

Banging Sounds Coming from Your Furnace

Your heating system gets filthy over time, so that’s why it’s essential to book yearly furnace maintenance with Precision Mechanical. One of the tasks our technicians do during this work is clean your furnace’s burners. When this piece gets grubby, you might hear your furnace making a loud rumbling noise when ignition takes more time. The resulting gas buildup may fracture your furnace’s heat exchanger, where natural gas transforms into warmth. Any fractures in it can leak carbon monoxide, which is ordinarily vented outdoors. This hazardous gas can be fatal in large concentrations.

If you’re hearing banging or knocking sounds coming from your furnace, Precision Mechanical urges you to turn it off and reaching us at 605-206-3766. Excessive natural gas in your furnace or a fractured heat exchanger are serious issues that necessitate prompt service.

Banging Sounds Coming from Your Ductwork

Your furnace relies on ductwork to provide heated air across your home. If the ductwork wasn’t put in right or is aging, it can make a lot of noise when your furnace is heating. This may be the issue if your furnace makes a banging noise when it shuts off. Get in touch with Precision Mechanical at 605-206-3766 and we’ll figure out the problem.

2. Furnace Buzzes Constantly

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

Your furnace depends on an internal transformer to operate on the correct voltage. If wires or the box needs to be tightened, you could detect a low humming noise in the furnace when off. Your furnace also uses a blower motor, which moves warm or cooled air throughout your house, and a capacitor, which turns on the motor. If either of these parts are going out, they will buzz when the furnace starts.

3. Furnace Rattles

If your furnace is making a rattling noise, it could be the result of something minor, like a loose screw, or something serious, like a broken part. In either case, we recommend shutting off your furnace and getting in touch with our heating pros at 605-206-3766 for help.

4. Furnace Is Making a High-Pitched Squealing Sound

If your furnace makes a high-pitched noise, like squealing, when it’s running, it’s trying to alert you it could use 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 are aware that maintenance often slips your mind, but our technicians can get your furnace running quietly again fast.

5. Furnace Whistles

When you’re noticing your furnace making a whistling noise, it’s likely because of an air leak in your ductwork. You may also be aware of whistling while the furnace is operating if a floor vent isn’t tight. If you’ve examined your vents but are still hearing sound, Precision Mechanical can provide support. It’s important to get loose ductwork taken care of fast, as it can create comfort issues in your house and inflate your energy costs.

6. Furnace Makes a Loud, Unpleasant Grinding Noise

It’s not a positive sign if you notice your furnace making a grinding noise. This metal-on-metal sound usually means there’s an issue with your furnace’s blower. Turn off your furnace off promptly and call us at 605-206-3766 for help.

When you’re noticing an uncommon noise from your furnace, Precision Mechanical is here to support you. Contact us at 605-206-3766 to schedule your furnace repair appointment now.