When the heating system in your Dayton home is running, you may occasionally hear banging, popping or whistling noises coming from the ductwork. In most cases, there’s no cause for alarm, although some duct noises may indicate system problems.
This guide will help you determine the cause of these sounds and whether you should call in a professional to have the system inspected.
Causes of Banging or Popping
In general, banging or popping noises occur due to expanding ductwork. When the furnace is running, the blower fan pushes a large amount of air into the ducts, increasing the pressure inside. In thin-walled ducts, especially those with a rectangular cross-section, the pressure may cause the duct walls to flex and make noises, such as banging or popping.
In other ducts, such as round ones or ones made of heavy-gauge metal, the noise may be minimal or nonexistent. The sound will likely be more noticeable or occur more frequently after you’ve had maintenance done to the system. This is because air flow tends to increase after an air filter change.
However, in some cases, duct noises may be a symptom of a rusted, clogged or dirty burner. When burners are operating improperly, gas may not ignite at the proper time, causing it to build up. When it does finally ignite, a small explosion occurs, causing the banging or popping sound.
This can be checked by standing a safe distance from the furnace, having a helper turn the thermostat up and listening for banging or popping noises from within the furnace. If you suspect this is the cause of your duct noises, have a professional inspect the system and clean the burners.
Causes of Whistling
Most whistling sounds are caused by air rushing over the heating registers. If the registers are not sized or adjusted correctly, the sounds may be more noticeable. Adjust or replace the registers if necessary.
For more information about duct noises, talk to our experts at Ace Hardware Home Services, Inc. We serve both the Dayton and Springfield areas.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Dayton, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
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