Dealing with an Ohio winter is challenging enough without having to deal with noisy ductwork. Depending on the cause, there are a few ways to quiet noisy ductwork. Some solutions are ones you can handle on your own, while others require the assistance of an experienced HVAC professional.
Causes of Ductwork Noise
There are many reasons why your ducts are making noise. They include:
- Pressure differences between the ducts that supply and return air. This causes the duct walls to “breathe” in and out, which creates a rumbling noise.
- Furnace blowers can make noise that move easily through your house via ductwork.
- Metal expanding from hot air moving quickly into a cold air duct causes creaking.
- Ducts rubbing against wood can create popping noises that reverberate as the metal ductwork cools.
Pads and Fan Check
The simplest solution to quiet ductwork is to use rubber pads that serve as a buffer between metal ductwork and the surrounding wood. Another easy fix is to clean your blower fan regularly to prevent dirt and dust buildup that can cause squeaking and rattling. Also, ensure that your fan is the correct size for your system, so it’s not being pushed beyond its capacity.
Insulation and Liners
For noisier ducts, insulation and acoustic liners are a viable solution. Installing fiberglass insulation around the ductwork and metal air box can significantly quiet noisy ductwork. Installation also reduces reverberation sounds in the duct vents. Another option is to open up your ductwork and insert acoustic duct liners, which can reduce noises from a variety of sources.
Maintenance and Cleaning
A professional cleaning of your duct system and regular maintenance will ensure that all parts of your system are working properly. An experience HVAC technician can also make sure that all of your ductwork connections are put together properly to prevent heat loss, while quieting noisy ductwork.
For all of your HVAC issues and questions, you can count on Energy1 to meet your needs. We’ve been servicing Lorain homeowners for 35 years. Contact our experienced professionals today for more information.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Lorain, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about noisy ductwork and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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