Why Is My HVAC Unit Making So Much Noise?!

Noisy HVAC Unit

Noisy neighbors are a nuisance, but what if the annoying noise you keep hearing comes from your heating and air conditioning system? There are some common causes for HVAC noise. Take a look.

Rattling

Rattling is one of the more common complaints when it comes to HVAC noise. It can be something as simple as a screw or vent that’s loose and rattles when the system turns on. In other instances, it could be something more dangerous, such as a damaged heat exchanger.

Squealing

Squealing coming from your HVAC unit might be the most cringe-worthy of all HVAC noises. It can sound like metal on metal, which is worse than nails on a chalkboard. However, the cause is often easy to fix, including dirty gas burners, a blower belt that’s about to go bad, or a pilot light that requires adjustment.

Banging

Banging on some drums can give you a righteous headache, and so can banging coming from your heating and cooling system. Harmless and common banging happens when the metal in the ducts expands and contracts as the system turns on and off, it can create a banging sound. If the burners inside the system get dirty, the gas might not ignite immediately. The delay causes a buildup of gas around the igniter, and when it does light, it causes a small explosion leading to a banging sound. This is something that requires immediate attention from an HVAC professional.

Some HVAC noise is annoying though not dangerous, while other sounds could indicate a serious problem. To know for sure, schedule service with your local McCall’s Supply, Inc. dealer for a thorough inspection.