It can be unsettling to wake up to strange pops and whistles on cold nights in your North Carolina home, but it’s not an uncommon occurrence in forced air HVAC systems. Duct and furnace noise may occur at any time, particularly right after a professional duct cleaning. The good news is that it’s rarely a sign of ductwork damage or other problems, but the duct and furnace noise can be intrusive. Here are the most common types of noises and what you can do about them. Ducts that pops when the air turns on or off are simply flexing with the interior air pressure. It’s especially common after professional duct cleaning or furnace maintenance, as the entire system operates at its peak level when clean. Air filters aren’t clogged by any debris, ducts have nothing clinging to the sides to shield the walls or to slow airflow, and the blower motor or other components work together flawlessly. Flexing ductwork won’t cause damage. In fact, most types of ducts have creases along the sides specifically to allow them to flex as needed.

The only way to really fix this popping is by replacing the ductwork. You obviously don’t want to do that when you have fully functioning ducts in good repair, but here are some considerations when it’s time for a replacement: If the popping becomes an issue before the ductwork needs to be replaced, discuss the problem with an HVAC specialist to explore other options that may work for your home. Whistling around one or more vents can be among the most disruptive of all duct and furnace noise. Don’t worry, it’s not a ghost – and it’s usually not a difficult problem to fix, either. The sound you hear is usually caused by air that’s too restricted as it passes through heat vents or air supply registers. Check the vents for debris, replace any existing air filters that have clogged, and check that all of the covers fit tightly on their respective vents. Ensure that the louvers are either completely open or completely closed on all vent covers. If all the vent covers are clean and in place but the system still whistles, check the blower motor.

Some systems have multiple blower speeds. If yours is variable, turn the blower down a notch to see if a lower air volume solves the problem. A boom or pop coming from inside the furnace may indicate a potentially serious issue. Most often, it’s caused by delayed burner ignition. In other words, the burners don’t light immediately after the gas turns on, or they don’t all light. As a result, gas builds up inside the heating element and produces a tiny explosion when the burners finally catch. Delayed burner ignition can be caused by a faulty ignition, dirty burners, corrosion or buildup inside the furnace. Stand several feet away from the furnace, and have someone turn the thermostat up high enough to turn the furnace on. Watch the burners from a distance. If the fire takes several seconds to start and is accompanied by a pop or boom, you’ve confirmed that delayed burner ignition is the most likely problem. Gas furnaces can be dangerous, so most home DIY enthusiasts shouldn’t attempt to work on them.

Call your trusted HVAC technician and describe the duct and furnace noise, as well as your observations about the burners. An expert technician will inspect and clean the furnace, and then repair any faulty parts. For additional help or information about duct and furnace noises, contact the pros at Air Experts. best handheld vacuum cleaner for stairsWe provide comprehensive services for all your HVAC needs in Fuquay-Varina, Holly Springs, Raleigh and the surrounding areas.best vacuum cleaners in india 2014Copyright © 1997 Hannabery HVAC. best vacuum cleaner for carpet consumer reports All air vents, meaning supply registers, ceiling diffusers, floor vents, and return grilles make some noise when the system fan is running. restaurant duct cleaning service

Some systems are louder than others. Some systems are much louder than others.a house with plenty of return air ducting, including return vents in every room will probably be quieter than a system with just one large return grille cut directly into the return duct of the equipment. There is nothing technically wrong with the latter, it is just a less expensive system to install and is a very basic approach to ducting the equipment. best vacuum cleaner for both hardwood and carpetThe downside of course is that it may be loud!dryer vent cleaning how much does it cost The most common complaint we get on this matter is usually from return vents making a high-pitched, tuning-fork type of sound. This usually, not always, but usually, indicates a lack of return air.

The system needs to pull more air so the pressure and velocity increases, thus increasing the sound level. By adding more return air, the pressure drops, and the system doesn't have to work as hard, and it quiets down. Now, why do we have a lack of return air? The ductwork could be undersized or not installed properly. But it could also be as simple as a blocked air filter. Maybe someone closed off too many vents. Yes this could cause the problem as well. The system is designed to move a certain amount of air. By blocking either the return or supply vents, (anything that restricts the airflow) it causes a pressure problem - increasing the sound level. We have seen furniture blocking return vents, restricting air flow. Other vent-related noises include rattling and or flapping sounds - which are usually due to debris in the duct... screws, nails, small toys, plastic, construction materials, saw dust, and so on. So after checking all the obvious things, the next step would be to have a technician inspect the system's performance.

Hannabery's service technicians can not only check the equipment, but can diagnose the ductwork for proper air-flow. Along with system pressures and temperature splits, they can check for proper CFM and static pressures to determine if the system is moving the air properly. Below is a list of possible causes. Items in red usually require a service call. Items in blue however can be addressed, some even fixed by the homeowner. Red = Professional fix | Blue = Homeowner fix Large return very close to unit Return vents blocked or shut off Supply vents blocked or shut off Debris in ducts - may need professional cleaning Please keep in mind that the information found on our website is provided free of charge and Hannabery HVAC does not assume any liability resulting from the information we provide. We hope this information helps, but please note that these are just rough guidelines, and not all possible situations are covered. Your HVAC system should be inspected and repaired by a trained technician.