What Noise is That? 10 Common HVAC Noises Explained

Hearing noises from your HVAC system may or not be a point of concern depending upon the kind of noise you hear. A certain degree of operational noise or humming is expected and harmless. However as your appliance gets old, its operation may get louder due to internal wear and tear. Nevertheless, you should be on the lookout for certain kinds of noises to identify issues with your HVAC system.

To help you get comprehensive knowledge of the kinds of HVAC noise, we have compiled a list of the ten most common HVAC noises. Knowing about the source of such discrepancies is canon in limiting damage and aiding repairs of your appliance.

1. Squealing or Screeching

Squealing or screeching sounds indicate inadequate lubrication or blower motor belt issues. Depending on the specifics, a professional HVAC technician may add adequate lubrication or change the blower motor belt.

2. Rattling or Banging inside the House

A rattling or banging sound may indicate a broken or loose blower component. Owners must not ignore such signs and call for a furnace repair in Katy, TX, right away to avoid further damage to their appliance.

3. Buzzing

Buzzing is one of the most common HVAC noises and does not usually indicate serious trouble. A buzzing may be caused by a refrigerant leak or a loose end vibrating rapidly.

4. Frequent Clicking

A frequent clicking from your AC unit most commonly indicates an issue with the compressor outside the air handler inside.

On the other hand, a clicking sound from the furnace is a good sign if you turn it on after a long while. However, if the clicking does not go away, it may indicate a problem with your appliance’s pilot light or wiring.

5. Booming

A booming noise coming from a furnace when you switch it on is usually not a good sign. Such noises occur when the built-up gas ignites all at once. A faulty ignition or other gas supply issues can cause such problems, which a professional should deal with right away.

6. Hissing

A hissing noise from an AC may indicate a refrigerant leak or a build-up of dangerously high pressure. Owners must turn their appliances off right away and schedule an HVAC repair at the earliest.

If your furnace is causing a similar noise, there’s most probably a leak in your household’s ductworks. Cracks or leaks in ducts will also require a professional’s attention.

7. High Pitched Whistling or Screeching

High pitched whistling sound most commonly indicates a falling compressor resulting in the build-up of high refrigerant pressure. You must turn off your appliance right away in such instances.

8. Popping

Metal panels of the ductwork contract and expand with heat over time. It causes loud noticeable popping sounds, which are relatively harmless.

9. Thwapping

A “thwapping” sound can be caused by something that’s stuck in the blower motor fans. If the sound changes with the airflow, it further reassures the possibility of a foreign particle in between the fans.

10. Rattling Outside the House

Rattling outside the house, particularly near the outdoor unit, may indicate a loose or broken component within the unit. Only professionals should tend to such discrepancies for a safe resolution.

A family-owned and operated business, Air Mechanic Services caters to all kinds of residential or commercial furnace installations in Katy, Tx, Houston, and nearby areas. Schedule a visit today at our official website.