Indoor Comfort Enemies: HVAC Noise

by Service Experts

In today’s hustle and bustle world, peace and quiet at home is more important than ever. So if you have a furnace, a/c or duct system that’s just a loud and annoying racket, you’ll want to read on…

Noisy heating and air conditioning equipment is not as uncommon as you might think. It’s a particular problem in close, urban communities where heating and cooling equipment is close to sleeping areas and interior walls. There are several common causes for a noisy HVAC system, some of which may be easily corrected, some which might need professional attention.

Loose or improperly installed ductwork

This issue is sometimes related to the distribution of air and therefore duct system design, and is not necessarily a furnace or air conditioning equipment problem. You may also notice positive or negative air pressure symptoms like slamming doors when the HVAC system is in operation. If the noise is coming from a specific duct joint and you can seal or tighten the area that is sometimes sufficient. If noise seems to be throughout the duct system, a redesign of the ductwork may be required.

Equipment vibration

Vibration or shaking in furnaces could be an indication that the blower is out of balance. Like the spinning motion of an off-balance washing machine, an out of balance furnace can vibrate and create excessive noise. Vibration of an outside air conditioning unit may be a result of poor installation, where a vibration pad should have been installed or the A/C pad is not level. These problems require a certified technician to adjust.

Internal equipment damage

If you experience metal scraping or clanging noises, this is usually an indication of a severe problem inside the system. If you ever hear this sort of sound, like something interrupting a fan blade or metal scraping against metal, it’s important to turn off the system right away. There may be internal damage to the motor or blower that could also cause further damage.

Loud operation

Some heating and air conditioning systems simply operate at high decibel levels, they’re just loud! The problem could be symptomatic of lower-quality equipment, or the equipment simply was not designed for quiet operation. It may be intended for installation away from living areas where sound is not an issue. Adjustments can sometimes be made by qualified technicians to reduce sound levels, but it greatly depends on the age, type, size, and installation quality of the existing equipment.

HVAC sound reduction technology is available. One major equipment manufacturer, Lennox, has been on the leading edge of sound reduction for heating and air conditioning equipment. Their SilentComfort® technology boasts that sound is no longer a barrier to home comfort. Included in all heating and cooling systems from the Dave Lennox Signature® Collection, the technology combines advanced engineering with sound-absorbing insulation. The result is extremely quiet equipment and could very well be the best solution in the industry for sound problems resulting from heating and cooling equipment.

This article has been provided by Service Experts. Visit http://www.serviceexperts.ca for more information on how you can get a free in-home comfort consultation to learn more about what you can do to minimize HVAC sound issues in your home, or to learn more about the Dave Lennox Signature® Collection of heating and cooling products.

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