The ductwork in most St. Louis area homes produces some level of noise whenever the air conditioner is operating. This noise typically blends into the normal background noise of your house. However, if the noises from your ductwork become significantly louder, or if you’re hearing different noises than usual, it could mean there is a problem with your air conditioner. So let’s go over various noises you might hear from your ducts and how to know when noisy ductwork means it’s time to call a pro!
Some noise from your ductwork is completely normal
As we mentioned above, hearing some degree of noise from your ducts is completely normal. One reason for this is that the blowing and rumbling sounds from your air conditioner’s air handler can easily carry through your ducts and out of the return and supply registers in your home. Another reason is that temperature differences between your ducts and the conditioned air that flows through them can cause your ducts to slightly expand and contract. When this happens, you might hear some popping or clicking noises. Again, these noises are completely normal.
When noisy ductwork can indicate problems with your air conditioner
- You hear rumbling that is much louder than normal. If the normal rumbling and blowing noises from your ducts get much louder than usual, it could mean that your air handler is overworking. This can be due to several things, including a dirty air filter, undersized ducts, or blocked return and/or supply registers. Make sure to change your filter if it’s clogged and remove anything that’s blocking your air registers. If that doesn’t fix the problem, give Jerry Kelly Heating & Air Conditioning a call! Your air handler might be at risk of overheating or breaking down and you’ll want to identify and fix the airflow problems as soon as possible.
- You hear scraping and/or scratching. As we mentioned above, your ducts naturally expand and contract when your HVAC system is operating. If your ducts were installed improperly and your contractor didn’t leave enough space between your ducts and your house’s framework, your ducts can begin to rub against the building material that’s surrounding it. This can create scraping and scratching noises, and can also cause your ducts to be punctured. Contact Jerry Kelly Heating & Air Conditioning so that we can find the source of the problem and fix any ductwork installation problems that we find.
- You hear whistling. Whistling in your ductwork is a good indication that you have a duct leak somewhere in your home, which can lead to all sorts of comfort and efficiency problems. Again, contact Jerry Kelly Heating & Air Conditioning so we can inspect your ducts for leaks and get them sealed up before they create further problems with your air conditioner.
If you have any questions about noisy ductwork, or if you’d like a cooling system serviced or installed in your home, contact Jerry Kelly Heating & Air Conditioning, your St. Charles, MO, air conditioner service company. We service the St. Louis area, including towns like St. Paul, St. Peters, and Town and Country.
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