Common HVAC Noises

Your HVAC system in your home is one of the most important systems that operate daily. It maintains the proper airflow and temperature throughout your home, keeping you comfortable throughout the day. Like all other systems within your home, it comes with several parts and needs maintenance attention periodically. When it is working correctly, it is fairly quiet, making a few sounds from time to time that is not alarming.

Over time, you get used to the noises that your HVAC system makes regularly.  So when a new sound comes from your HVAC, you start to notice it right away. While there may not be much to the HVAC noises, it is essential to know what they mean and what needs to be done in order to correct the system.  

What is an HVAC noise?

Anytime your HVAC system turns on, there is a startup noise from the fan. Sometimes, however, a new noise appears and with it a reason to be concerned. After all, these noises happen to appear when your HVAC system and air ducts have some age under it and especially when you least expect it. Below are the different types of HVAC sounds and what they could mean for your HVAC System.

Grinding

When it sounds as if something is being ground within your HVAC system, it is usually related to the compressor and the pistons within the compressor. This is not a noise that you should ignore when you start to hear it. 

Clicking

There are a couple of clicks that your system makes when it starts and when it stops. However, if there is additional clicking, and it sounds like it is happening more frequently, then the issue could be with the electrical connection to your system. 

Hissing

The sound of hissing lets you know that there is a hole or a leak somewhere. If you hear that in your HVAC system, something like the refrigerant could be leaking from your system or compressor pressure is off-balance and needs adjustment.

Banging

If you walk by your HVAC system and notice that it is banging or rattling like something is loose, chances are it probably is. There could be something loose in your HVAC motor that needs to be tightened. 

Humming

Again, humming suggests that something in your HVAC is out of place. If everything is in place within your motor, then it could be that its placement is off balance. Either way, there is a strain in your HVAC that needs to be adjusted.

Buzzing

Sometimes debris and unwanted parts find their way into your HVAC system. This is especially true to the exposed systems sitting outdoors. When outside debris is caught in your HVAC system, the buzzing lets you know that something foreign is lurking in your system and needs to be removed. 

Squealing

Sometimes the noise coming from your HVAC system sounds like a squeal, where there is a real part struggle going on. In these situations, the belt is usually responsible for this sound. 

Depending on what type of sound you are hearing makes a difference is what is wrong with your HVAC system. Knowing what each sound potentially means allows you to be prepared for the repair and what is coming if you have to call in an HVAC technician. 

Why are these HVAC noises so loud?

When these new HVAC noises start in your system, they sound unusually loud, which can be concerning. It is important to note that your HVAC system making noises and sounds is not uncommon since there are sounds coming from the system when it is on. As the homeowner, you become accustomed to the everyday sounds that your HVAC system makes. This is why when a new sound develops, it does appear to be louder than normal. 

Sometimes with sounds like banging and squealing, the sound could actually be louder than normal due to the pieces within the system moving. When these noises become louder, you want to have it looked at right away and shut your system off to stop any further damage from happening to the HVAC.

What does a bad HVAC compressor sound like?

The compressor in your HVAC system works in conjunction with other parts to function correctly. If the compressor is not working, then the HVAC system will start to fail and not operate as it should. If you have a bad HVAC compressor in your system, it will make a loud grinding or screeching sound that will be hard to miss. Because the pistons within the compressor begin to fail first, the noise only grows and gets worse over time. If the sound is more screeching than grinding, this means that the whole compressor is not properly working due to a bad connection with the belt. 

How do I stop my HVAC from making noise?

When you start to hear noises coming from your HVAC system, the first thing you want to do is check the system and make sure there is no loose debris floating around and causing the noise. Check the outside of the system also for anything loose that may not be properly connected. 

If you have completed your HVAC's troubleshooting, and you can still hear that unwanted noise, it is time to contact an HVAC technician to give a more thorough assessment of the system to be fixed. Specific components of the HVAC system need to be handled by a professional in the field. If your HVAC system requires attention, one of our technicians at AdvantaClean has the knowledge and ability to identify the noise you hear and get it fixed. 

If you would like a consultation or like to schedule a technician to come out and check on your system, contact us today for more information. We look forward to serving you soon.