Why Is My Heat Pump Making Weird Noises?

Your home’s infrastructure features multiple components that work together to create a comfortable space for you and your family. Keeping your home as comfortable as possible is an ongoing process, from your AC unit in the summer to your heat pump in the winter. So when your heat pump starts making strange noises while it’s turned on, it can catch you by surprise and make you start wondering if everything is alright.

When it comes to your heat pump, there are various reasons why it could have started making weird noises. Our residential heating equipment repair professionals break down the most common ones and help you figure out what to do if you encounter them on your own.

Loud Swooshing Noises

Heat pumps transition from heating to cooling modes quickly. When the pump switches into defrost mode, it can sound like a loud swoosh. These sounds can be jarring at first if you don’t know what they are. Usually, this isn’t a cause for concern; however, if these sounds happen too often, it could mean that you need to get the compressor looked at.

Shrieking

No, your heat pump isn’t haunted by a banshee (most likely); however, it could be a problem with your motor’s belt. Over time, the belts in the motor can wear down and snap prematurely, causing the shrieking sound. Catching these broken belts early results in a relatively easy fix with the proper equipment and parts.

Scraping Sounds

Scraping sounds within your unit can often be traced back to worn-out ball bearings scraping against the interior metal. Additionally, the heat pump’s blower wheel may have become dislodged and needs to get reattached by the professionals at Airflow Masters.

Rattling Sounds

You can trace any rattling you hear in your heat pump to components inside your unit that have come loose during the years of operation. These loose bodies in your system have the potential to cause additional and severe damage to the interior of your heat pump if left unattended. A licensed technician can inspect the interior of your pump for signs of loose parts or wear.

Metal on Metal Noises

If your heat pump suddenly reverberates with sounds of metal striking metal, you should immediately turn it off and inspect the unit. When you start hearing the sound of metal striking metal, it could result from something from outside the unit getting inside and striking the blades. If you don’t address the issue quickly, you will end up with a broken blade and a non-functional heat pump.

Unnerving Popping Sounds

Your heat pump transports warm air throughout your home through your duct system. If you hear the popping noises once you turn your unit on, the problem isn’t necessarily within your heater — it’s in the air ducts.

The air ducts have become inflated once the warm air from the pump meets the cold metal of the duct system; the change in pressure causes the ducts to pop loudly. Sometimes, the popping could also potentially be a problem with the vibration dampening, so a trained technician can come and diagnose the problem and let you know how serious the issue is.

Call in Airflow Masters for Your Heat Pump Repair Needs

You need trusted heat pump technicians to come and diagnose the strange sounds coming from your unit. Our team can help identify the source of the problem and figure out the best course of action to fix the issue before it becomes more significant. Contact the Airflow Masters team to schedule your first appointment for HVAC system maintenance in Piney Green, NC, today!