Ideally, the heat pump in your Stuart, FL, home should operate while emitting little more than a slight hum and occasional temporary popping noises. It’s safe to say that any other sounds are a sign that some kind of trouble is afoot. Here are three strange heat pump noises you might hear and their likely causes:
Hissing or Gurgling
Hissing and gurgling noises mean the refrigerant is leaking out of your heat pump. The hissing occurs when refrigerant gas escapes from holes in your system’s refrigerant lines. The gurgling typically begins after the air has displaced the escaped refrigerant and formed bubbles.
Refrigerant is highly toxic, and we urge you to never attempt to stop leaks or replace the substance on your own. Instead, if you believe refrigerant is leaking from your system, leave your home and request professional help.
Rattling
If you hear rattling noises coming from your heat pump, chances are that either some kind of small part has come loose inside your system or some debris has found its way inside of it. In either case, professional-grade maintenance services are the solution.
During a tuneup, HVAC service technicians can tighten or lubricate loose parts and remove all unwanted foreign objects. We strongly advise you to schedule heat pump maintenance either annually or at least semi-annually.
Whistling
A high-pitched whistle is usually a sign that your heat pump has some kind of airflow problem. Perhaps some debris has attached itself to one of the system’s filters and is partially obstructing the flow of air, with the resulting friction between the moving air and the dirt being responsible for the sound. To prevent these heat pump noises, clean or change the filter at least once every three months.
Trust your ears to alert you to any problems with your heat pump. As soon as you hear that something is wrong, call Krauss & Crane Air Conditioning to sign up for the best HVAC services around Stuart, FL.
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