duct and furnace noises what they possibly mean

Duct and Furnace Noises: What They Possibly Mean

November 10, 2015

Your furnace and ductwork have their own language that can help you to determine whether professional attention is needed. If your Charleston-area home is filled with duct and furnace noises, this handy translation guide can help you figure out what they’re trying to tell you to make troubleshooting furnace problems easier.

Duct Noises

POP! Metal ducts expand as they are filled with air, resulting in all manners of generally faint, popping and ticking sounds. These are perfectly normal and are nothing to worry about.

WHISTLE! A lack of return airflow can cause a whistling sound in the ducts. Reduced airflow may cause a number of problems, from higher energy bills to more wear on the system. Check the air filter first, and replace it if it’s dirty. Make sure all of the return registers are open and unobstructed. If that doesn’t take care of the noise, you may have undersized or poorly designed ductwork.

RATTLE, FLAP! Something may have fallen into the return or supply registers, and you’re hearing them move as air passes through. A duct inspection can quickly determine if any foreign object is causing that sound.

Furnace Noises

POP! The plenum, the big metal box on top of the unit that fills with air, is expanding or contracting. Nothing to worry about there. Normal duct and furnace noise includes a lot of popping.

BOOM! That’s never a sound you want to hear from your furnace. A delayed ignition of gas due to dirty or rusted burners causes the gas to build up. It is better to be safe than sorry where furnaces are concerned. You want to minimize the risk of fires or gas leaks. Call an HVAC professional right away.

SCREECH! SQUEAL! It sounds like your blower motor is faulty, needs a new belt, or the bearings need to be lubricated, and the sooner, the better.

Remember that annual preventive maintenance will help prevent most of the common problems that cause these and other strange noises coming from the ducts and furnace.

For more expert advice about duct and furnace noise, or any other problem with your system, please contact Berkeley Heating & Air Conditioning at (843) 277-6030. Our technicians can provide solutions for HVAC problems in any type of HVAC system. Call us today!

Image provided by Shutterstock

You May Also Like

Geothermal HVAC Helps Goose Creek Homeowners Go Green

Geothermal HVAC Helps Goose Creek Homeowners Go Green

Geothermal HVAC systems tap into the Earth's natural and renewable energy reservoirs. Utilizing the consistent temperature beneath the Earth's surface, geothermal HVAC systems provide a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to traditional heating and cooling...

3 Dangers of DIY Furnace Repairs in Goose Creek, SC

3 Dangers of DIY Furnace Repairs in Goose Creek, SC

There are many online DIY videos showing homeowners in Goose Creek, SC, how to repair various furnace components. Unfortunately, these videos don’t accurately depict the dangers associated with DIY furnace repairs. Before you try to repair your furnace, consider these...

4 Benefits of Healthy Indoor Air Quality in North Charleston, SC

4 Benefits of Healthy Indoor Air Quality in North Charleston, SC

During the cold and flu season, families in North Charleston, SC, spend a lot more hours together indoors, spreading cold germs and viruses to each other. Your family might also experience other problems associated with air pollutants in your home, too. Let’s look at...

Pin It on Pinterest

Compliance Settings
Increase Font Size
Grayscale
Simplified Font
Underline Links
Highlight Links
Reset
Close