Heat pumps are efficient HVAC systems that should produce very little in the way of noise. If all is well, they shouldn’t emit anything beyond a slight hum or, if you have not used the system in a long time, perhaps some temporary popping. Here’s what residents of Lenoir City, TN, can expect if their heat pump begins making the following strange sounds:
Banging
If you hear banging noises coming from your heat pump, it may be that one of its fan blades has moved out of position and is repeatedly striking some other part of the system. Alternatively, some foreign object may have gotten into your heat pump and now sits between the fan blades.
Hissing or Gurgling
Gurgling noises are surefire signs that refrigerant has leaked out of your heat pump. If a hole forms in your system’s refrigerant lines through which some refrigerant escapes, air can then come in through that hole and form bubbles. The movement of those bubbles creates the gurgling.
Hissing noises also frequently point to a refrigerant leak because that’s the sound that refrigerant gas tends to make as it flows out of the refrigerant lines. However, sometimes you might hear hissing sounds because your system’s reversing valve has malfunctioned or you have leaky ductwork.
We should emphasize that refrigerant is extremely dangerous. Don’t attempt to replace it or stop leaks on your own. Ask an HVAC maintenance service technician to do these things.
Buzzing
Buzzing noises typically indicate some sort of electrical problem, like a failing motor, a bad capacitor or a malfunctioning solenoid valve. Other mechanical issues, such as malfunctioning coils or contacts, may also generate loud buzzing sounds.
If your ears tell you that your heat pump is screaming for help, don’t ignore what you hear. Call the professionals at Melton Heating and Air Conditioning and schedule the best heat pump repair services around Lenoir City, TN.
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