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What’s That Noise? When a Noisy HVAC System Requires a Call
Noises from your HVAC system can be quite disconcerting. When you hear an unexpected noise coming from your furnace or air conditioner, your thoughts go instantly to your family’s safety, and then to the need for costly repair. Thankfully, most noises are not an immediate emergency, but they may require a call to your HVAC professional. Knowing what to watch for will help you make the right decision.
Sudden Rattle
If your outdoor unit starts to rattle suddenly, look for debris in the fan. If you see that something has slipped through the grate, turn off the unit and the power flowing to the unit and remove the obstruction.
Check for damage before turning the unit back on.
Knocking Sounds
Loud knocks or thumps from your system are not normal. Often they are caused by a component working itself loose, such as a screw or belt.
It’s best to have this sound looked at by a repair technician, just to be certain there isn’t a serious malfunction to address.
Loud Bangs or Explosions
A loud sound like an explosion from inside a furnace is quite frightening, and these do warrant a call to the technician. This is often caused by something inside the furnace that is causing it not to ignite properly. Thankfully, these sounds are rarely a true, life-threatening emergency, but you don’t want to take chances. Give the HVAC technician a call.
Squealing or Thumping
If the system squeals or thumps when you turn it on or off, and the system is older, then the belts or rotors may have accumulated some dirt. These sounds are not dangerous, but the dirt can impact the efficiency of the system, so you may want to schedule an HVAC tune-up.
