If You Have Noisy Air Vents, Here's What to Do

It's normal to hear some noise coming from your air vents when the HVAC system is running. If the usual noise volume increases, or you start to hear flapping, rattling or high-pitched sounds from the supply vents, return grilles or ceiling diffusers, it's likely due to an increase in pressure caused by airflow restrictions somewhere in the HVAC system. Addressing the underlying cause of noisy air vents is vital, because operating the HVAC system without sufficient airflow makes the equipment work harder, so it consumes more energy and is more vulnerable to breakdowns and failures.

Solving Airflow Restrictions That Cause Noisy Vents

Airflow restrictions can occur for a number of reasons, and some are easy to diagnose and deal with on your own:

• Dirty air filter— Replace a clogged filter right away, then check it monthly and change it when you see any debris accumulation.

• Closed or obstructed registers— Make sure the supply and return registers are open and unobstructed by furniture, rugs or long window coverings so air can circulate freely through the system.

• Closed duct dampers— If there are dampers on your ductwork and one gets stuck closed, it can impact proper airflow through the HVAC system. To prevent this, make sure they're all open.

• Debris in the ductwork— Items can fall down through the registers such as nails, screws, small toys or even construction materials and sawdust. If you can't access the debris, you may need to have the ductwork cleaned professionally.

If you check for and address all of the above issues but you're still hearing noise from the vents when the blower fan is running, it's time to have an HVAC professional evaluate the system's performance. A knowledgeable pro will inspect the components and check the static pressure and CFM of air movement through the system. An expert diagnosis can determine whether there are issues like undersized ducts, inadequate return airflow, or damaged or obstructed ducts that need to be addressed.If you need help finding and fixing the cause of noisy air vents in your Broken Arrow home, contact us at Air Assurance today.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). Credit/Copyright Attribution: “altafulla/Shutterstock”

Don't Let a Noisy A/C Get You Down

A noisy air conditioner can easily lead to a lot of sleepless nights – and quite a few irritating days, as well. Noise is a major reason why many Broken Arrow residents become dissatisfied with their A/C units, especially as the years go by. A noisy A/C can not only rob you of your own personal comfort, but it can also signal hidden problems that could easily lead to failure if not properly diagnosed and fixed soon.

What Can Cause a Noisy A/C?

There are a number of reasons why the silent partner in keeping your home cool suddenly makes itself heard. If you’ve recently heard humming noises or loud vibrations, the following may be involved:

• Dust and debris that accumulates on or around the fan blades over time

• Fan motor components that work themselves loose during operation

• Misaligned blades – even the slightest bend can cause a lot of noise

• Fan imbalance due to fan motor bearing wear

• Clogged or bent A/C coil fins

• Lack of fan motor lubrication

• Improper installation

Ways to Fix It

If you don’t want to call on the pros just yet, there are a few ways you can do yourself to help restore peace and relative quiet to your A/C:

• Remove any debris you see on or around the fan.

• Check the fan blades to make sure they’re not loose. If possible, tighten the screws holding the fan in place at the hub.

• Visually inspect the fan blades to ensure they’re not bent or broken.

• Carefully and gently clean the coil fins with a vacuum cleaner fitted with a brush attachment.

For more in-depth fixes like fan motor lubrication and straightening out coil fins, you’ll definitely want the skill and expertise of a trained professional on hand. In case you need an upgrade to an energy-efficient A/C, a professional can also help you choose the one that works best for your home comfort needs.

Put an end to your noisy A/C troubles and contact the professionals at Air Assurance. Since 1985, we’ve helped countless Broken Arrow residents resolve their heating and cooling issues.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). 

Image courtesy of Shutterstock