When your furnace is running correctly, it should deliver warm air without generating too much noise. While it’s normal to hear your furnace making noise as it begins running, other sounds are showing your furnace requires immediate professional help.

Here are some of the most common furnace noises and what they could be indicating. If your furnace is making a weird noise, our friendly heating specialists are here to assist with the best furnace repair in Frederick, Maryland.

1. Furnace Making a Banging Noise

You may have a serious 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 problem.

Banging Sounds Coming from Your Furnace

Your heating system gets dirty over the years, so that’s why it’s critical to book routine furnace maintenance with May's Heating & Air. One of the tasks our pros do during this appointment is clean your furnace’s burners. When this component gets dirty, you might hear your furnace making a loud rumbling noise when ignition takes longer than normal. The subsequent gas buildup can break your furnace’s heat exchanger, where natural gas turns into warm air. Any breaks in it can discharge carbon monoxide, which is ordinarily vented away from your home. This dangerous gas can be lethal in large concentrations.

If you’re noticing banging or knocking sounds coming from your furnace, May's Heating & Air recommends turning it off and reaching us at 301-690-0397. Significant natural gas in your furnace or a broken heat exchanger are critical troubles that necessitate fast service.

Banging Sounds Coming from Your Ductwork

Your furnace relies on ductwork to provide heated air throughout your residence. If the ductwork wasn’t designed correctly or is getting dated, it can make a lot of noise when your furnace runs. This can be the problem if your furnace makes a banging noise when it shuts off. Call May's Heating & Air at 301-690-0397 and we’ll pinpoint the problem.

2. Furnace Making a Buzzing Noise

If you notice 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 proper voltage. If wires or the box isn’t tight enough, you may notice a low humming noise in the furnace when off. Your furnace also works with a blower motor, which sends warm or cold air throughout your rooms, and a capacitor, which triggers the motor. If either of these pieces are going out, they will buzz when the furnace switches on.

3. Furnace Rattles

If your furnace is making a rattling noise, it can be related to something minor, like an unfastened screw, or something critical, like a broken part. In either case, we urge you to shut your furnace off and getting in touch with our heating pros at 301-690-0397 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 tell you it requires some TLC. If you’ve neglected furnace maintenance recently, belts could be worn out or a bearing may need to be lubricated. We realize that maintenance sometimes slips your mind, but our technicians can get your furnace operating quietly again quickly.

5. Furnace Whistles

When you’re hearing your furnace making a whistling noise, it’s typically the result of an air leak in your ductwork. You could also hear whistling while the furnace is on if a floor vent is loose. If you’ve examined your vents but are still sensing sound, May's Heating & Air can assist you. It’s important to get loose ductwork taken care of fast, since it can make comfort troubles in your home and drive up your gas bills.

6. Furnace Makes Noise that Sounds Like Scraping Metal

It’s not an encouraging sign if you notice your furnace making a grinding noise. This metal-on-metal racket often means there’s an issue with your furnace’s blower. Turn off your furnace off promptly and reach our professionals at 301-690-0397 for support.

When you’re hearing an atypical noise from your furnace, May's Heating & Air is available to support you. Contact us at 301-690-0397 to request your furnace repair appointment right away.