When your furnace is running correctly, it should provide heat without making too much disruption. While it’s common to notice your furnace making noise as it starts up, other noises are signaling your furnace needs immediate professional assistance.

Here are some of the most reported furnace noises and what they can be indicating. If your furnace is making an odd noise, our friendly heating pros are here to assist with the best furnace repair in The Bay Area, California.

1. Furnace Makes a Banging Sound

You might 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 can indicate there could be several problems. These include gas increasing in your furnace or a ductwork issue.

Banging Sounds Coming from Your Furnace

Your heating system gets dirty over time, so that’s why it’s essential to book annual furnace maintenance with Contra Costa Heating & AC. One of the jobs our techs perform during this appointment is clean your furnace’s burners. When this component gets grimy, you could hear your furnace making a loud rumbling noise if ignition takes more time. The following gas buildup might break your furnace’s heat exchanger, where natural gas transforms into heat. Any breaks in it can leak carbon monoxide, which is ordinarily released outdoors. This toxic gas can be fatal in large concentrations.

If you’re aware of banging or knocking sounds coming from your furnace, Contra Costa Heating & AC advises turning it off and reaching us at 510-343-9841. Too much natural gas in your furnace or a cracked heat exchanger are serious problems that should get fast repairs.

Banging Sounds Coming from Your Ductwork

Your furnace relies on ductwork to deliver heated air throughout your residence. If the ductwork wasn’t put in right or is getting dated, it can be noisy when your furnace runs. This might be the issue if your furnace makes a banging noise when it shuts off. Call Contra Costa Heating & AC at 510-343-9841 and we’ll determine 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 means there’s an electrical situation, 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 may hear a low humming noise in the furnace when off. Your furnace also uses a blower motor, which sends heated or chilly air around your rooms, and a capacitor, which triggers the motor. If either of these pieces are fading, they will buzz when the furnace starts.

3. Furnace Rattles

If your furnace is making a rattling noise, it may be the result of something minor, like an unfastened screw, or something serious, like a broken part. In either case, we advise shutting your furnace off and contacting our heating specialists at 510-343-9841 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 trying to alert you it needs some TLC. If you’ve forgotten furnace maintenance the past few years, belts could be worn down or a bearing could need to be lubricated. We know that maintenance often slips your mind, but our technicians can get your furnace heating quietly again fast.

5. Furnace Makes a Whistling Sound Like Air Escaping

When you’re detecting your furnace making a whistling noise, it’s likely the result of an air leak in your ductwork. You may also notice whistling while the furnace is running if a floor vent isn’t secure. If you’ve checked your vents but are still noticing whistling, Contra Costa Heating & AC can assist you. It’s essential to get loose ductwork taken care of quickly, because it can create comfort problems in your home and inflate your gas 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 noise frequently means there’s a problem with your furnace’s blower. Shut down your furnace off now and reach our professionals at 510-343-9841 for help.

When you’re hearing an uncommon noise from your furnace, Contra Costa Heating & AC is ready to support you. Contact us at 510-343-9841 to book your furnace repair appointment now.