Heat pumps have the ability to both cool and heat your house. In cooling mode, a heat pump removes heat from your home and transfers it outside in the same way that an air conditioner would. When it’s in heating mode, the refrigerant is reversed. The reversing valve allows the pump to add warm air into the room. Keep in mind that it does use up more energy in heating mode. If you have a heat pump in your home, then you’ll want to make sure that it’s maintained properly. Your heating system is crucial for the safety of your indoor environment, but what happens when you have issues with your heat pump and hear a hissing noise? Keep reading to learn about the different noises that could come from your heat pump and what they could mean.
Hissing Noise
You may find yourself thinking, “Why does my heat pump make a hissing noise?” Typically, hissing noises come from a leak in the pressurized refrigerant. As mentioned in the introduction, a heat pump utilizes a refrigerant in order to move air from inside to outside or vice versa. Pressure is used to change the liquid into gas, and the hissing sound indicates that the refrigerant is leaking. In order to get this fixed, you’ll need to contact a technician for a heat pump repair.
Change in Noise Levels
Sometimes, heat pumps will change noise levels from season to season. This can be because of a lack of regular maintenance. In order to compensate for the lack of maintenance, the heating system will overwork itself. This can result in a general increase in the level of noise. If you hear loud noises coming from your heat pump, then it may be best to consult a trained technician. Keep in mind that regular maintenance also helps you save money on your utility bills, so it’s not just a matter of preventing noise.
Clangs and Bangs
Clanging and banging noises are typically caused by something that’s loose within the heat pump components. You might hear something in the motor or a blower fan that’s loose or out of alignment. You’ll need to have a technician come in and repair the heat pump to tighten up any loose parts. This will help prevent anything from malfunctioning.
Ductwork Rattling
Some homes have heat pumps as an addition to centralized air. If your home has a centralized heating and cooling system, then you’ll want to listen to the noises related to the ductwork and vents. Once in a while, you might hear noises in your vents or ductwork. And when ducts are noisy, it’s usually because of the air pressure. If you hear a roaring sound, it’s likely that the ductwork has trouble handling the air velocity. You’ll hear a high-pitched whine if there’s poor airflow. If you hear a rattling noise, then it’s due to airflow against the structural framework. You can use a heat pump in conjunction with ceiling ductwork. Just make sure to seek the advice of a professional technician at a reliable heating and cooling service.
Heat pumps are a great heating and cooling system for places that don’t have below-freezing temperatures. They’re usually used in the South or the Southwestern United States because winters tend to be mild. If you have a heat pump in your home, it’s important to pay attention to unusual sounds. This is because the type of sound coming from the system can indicate different heat pump needs. Your safest bet is to contact a technician to prevent any problems from occurring. Frank’s Air Conditioning serves the Orlando area and can solve any issues with your heating and cooling system involving noise. Contact a reliable service to have your system running optimally.
