It’s never a good sign when your heating system begins emitting strange noises. Not only can these sounds be irritating but they can indicate major issues with your heating system. Proper HVAC repairs from a certified HVAC technician will help ensure that your unit will run smoothly as the colder months approach.
Weird sounds coming from your HVAC system can be stressful if you don’t know what they mean. Rest assured that familiarizing yourself with the meaning of these noisy indicators will help you identify the problem and determine when it’s time to call a professional.
What HVAC Noises Should I Be Concerned About?
There are many noises that your heating system may make. However, all of them should be taken seriously, as most are indicative of a problem with the functionality of your unit.
Some sounds are much more common than others. That’s why our specialists have produced a list of the most common sounds and included the reasons why these noises may be coming from your HVAC unit. Learning about these sounds and their implications will help you recognize when it’s time to contact a pro.
Humming Sounds
These noises typically indicate a problem with the pump of your heating system. If your pump is making humming sounds, check its speed. Speeds that are too high result in vibration, which can be resolved by adjusting or fixing the speed at which your pump is operating.
Most of the time, changing the speed should stop any humming. But if humming ensues, replacing or installing anti-vibration brackets could prove beneficial. Pipes that are too small can also cause this noise, in which case you’ll need HVAC repairs from a technician near you.
Creaking Sounds
As you may know, the sounds of footsteps or creaking floorboards commonly result from heating system pipes working under floorboards. Pipes typically expand as hot water passes through them and shrink as the water cools down or departs. When expanded pipes are in close quarters with the floorboards or walls, it often results in sounds that can sound like someone is in your home. Spooky, isn’t it? Don’t worry! A simple solution is to find the source of the noise and inspect those pipes.
If your heating system pipes are sagging, you can place some felt around the pipes for a better fit. If the pipes are too close to walls or floorboards, you can create a surface notch to be rid of creaking sounds. However, if it’s been several years since the installation of your heating system, it may be time for inspection from a specialist.
Banging Sounds
If water is suddenly stopped from flowing through your pipes, waves can be created and cause a banging noise until waves settle. A professional will often check if there’s a faulty ball valve, tap, or stop-cock for this normally prevents the proper flow of water through your pipes. In some cases, this won’t solve the problem and further inspection and repairs may be necessary.
Loud Boiler Sounds
The most common cause for noisy boilers is the accumulation of limescale that results from hard-water amassing in the heat exchanger. Using chemical descalers in the tank will help remove excess scale. After doing this, you should flush clean water through the unit a few times. Adding inhibitors to the heating system may also help prevent corrosion. It is best to leave these processes to expert specialists.
Do You Require Heating System Maintenance?
No problem! The HVAC techs at Home Comfort USA have been assisting homeowners with all of their heating system maintenance and repair needs for years! Contact us today and one of our specialists will be happy to assist you!
