The transition from colder weather to spring and then summer temperatures feel great for most of us. We can start to venture outdoors without layers of clothing to protect us from the cold. At this time, it’s natural to start to use the air conditioner and this may be the first time that the system has been used for months. We expect our heating and cooling equipment to work flawlessly with no intervention on our part. In fact, it’s fair to say that most people take their HVAC system for granted. But, if you can hear strange noises, it could be a warning sign that you should not ignore.
A Brief Primer on HVAC System Complexity
It’s important to mention that an HVAC system is extremely complex and each component is reliant on other parts of the system. It’s easier to imagine that your heating and cooling system is similar to your car in many ways. After all, it has electronic, electrical, and moving parts that need to be checked regularly to maintain efficiency. There are even parts of your system that need periodic lubrication to work as intended by the manufacturer. Despite this need, most system owners don’t schedule regular tune-ups for their HVAC systems. This can lead to a loss of efficiency, poor performance, and an earlier than expected replacement. Let’s take a look at five strange noises that could be a warning sign for a serious problem in your HVAC system.
1. A Rattling Noise
If you can hear an intermittent or regular rattling noise emanating from your HVAC system, it could be a serious problem that requires immediate attention. The most likely cause is a mechanical part that is working loose or has already slipped free. A loose component can lower the performance and efficiency of your system considerably. But, the immediate danger is the damage that could be caused to other nearby components. Repairing damaged components may not be possible and a replacement can be expensive. Another possible cause is a foreign item that has gotten inside your heating and cooling equipment. Remember that your system is connected to the outside of your home via the vents and outdoor grates. This means that items can enter those areas and fall further into the system where they can become lodged in-place. Again, these items can make an annoying sound that keeps you awake at night. But, the primary source of concern must be the potential damage that could be caused to your system.
2. Scraping
If you can hear scraping or more specifically a metallic scraping noise, it’s a sure sign that you have a loose part somewhere in the system. Perhaps a pipe has become loose or a fan blade has slipped out of alignment and it’s scraping up against another part. As you might imagine, a part that is not secure can be hitting other components with considerable force and this is sure to cause damage eventually. These types of problems are not self correcting and they only get worse as time passes. If you hear a scraping noise, contact your local certified and licensed HVAC specialist. They can locate the loose part quickly and suggest a repair or replacement to get the system working again.
3. Squeaking
When you start to use your HVAC system after a long period of disuse, it’s common to notice a squeaking noise in your heating and cooling equipment. The usual cause is a worn belt that sounds like a loose fan belt on your car. This belt cannot be repaired, a heating and cooling specialist will need to fit a new one for you. This can be a nasty surprise, but the situation can be avoided if you invest in regularly scheduled servicing for your system. The best time to get your equipment checked is before each heating and cooling season. If you plan ahead and schedule this work a month before these seasons begin, you can avoid the demand at peak periods. This will ensure that your system is ready to go whatever the weather is doing outside.
4. Hissing
If you can hear a hissing noise, it’s time to call your local heating and cooling specialist to take a look at the system. The sound is usually air that is escaping from the ductwork somewhere in your home. The HVAC system relies on a network of ducts that deliver the treated air throughout the entire home and this can become compromised. If your ductwork is old or improperly installed, gaps can appear at the joints between sections. In extreme cases, cracks and holes can form which will lower the efficiency of your system. Essentially, you will be paying for energy to treat the air which then escapes with no performance gains. Another problem with gaps is that they allow other materials to enter the system and you may have dust and debris distributed through your home. This can lower the indoor air quality (IAQ) leading to allergic reactions and breathing difficulties for people with pre-existing respiratory conditions.
5. Bubbling
The most common cause of a bubbling sound is a refrigerant leak in the system. The air conditioner removes heat from your home as the refrigerant collects heat and then changes its state to release that heat outdoors. The system must be under pressure to work efficiently and when refrigerant escapes it will diminish heat removal characteristics. Recharging the system is best left to a HVAC professional because it’s easy to get this process wrong. Adding the wrong refrigerant can lower the efficiency of the entire system and you cannot mix different types of refrigerant together. It’s also important to locate and fix the leak, which can be hard without formal training, experience, and specialized equipment.
Have you noticed any strange noises in your HVAC system? Adopting a proactive approach is the best way to protect your system from many potential problems. If you’re concerned, don’t hesitate to contact your local certified and licensed heating and cooling specialist today.