3 Worrisome Heat Pump Sounds in North Beach, MD

Heat pumps should operate rather quietly and unobtrusively, which means that any loud and persistent noises coming from them are potentially worrisome. However, different sounds point to different problems. Here are three sounds that homeowners in North Beach, MD, should especially watch out for from their heat pump:

Hissing or Gurgling

These are the characteristic noises that follow either during or after a refrigerant leak. As gaseous refrigerant escapes through holes in the system’s refrigerant lines, it’ll create hissing. After enough of the gas disappears, air may come to displace it, form bubbles and generate gurgling sounds.

Refrigerant is toxic, and there are great dangers that go with inhaling it. For that reason, don’t attempt to stop refrigerant leaks on your own. Instead, leave your home as soon as you suspect the presence of a leak and let professionals fix the issue.

Vibrating or Rattling

The cause of these noises may be something as simple as a loose cover panel. Alternatively, they may arise because debris, like dirt, twigs, pebbles or acorns, inside your heat pump is bouncing around and striking the system’s internal components. Ultimately, to do away with these annoying sounds, you’ll need HVAC service technicians to perform maintenance on your system, during which they can clean out the debris or tighten the screws on the panel.

Buzzing or Grinding

Generally speaking, these sounds indicate either a mechanical or an electrical problem with your heat pump. For example, dirty motor bearings may cause grinding. Faulty electrical wiring, malfunctioning coils or bad contacts might generate a loud buzz.

If you know what to listen for, your ears can be marvelous tools for detecting heat pump issues before they worsen. Call our experts at B.M.C. Clower Heating and Air Conditioning to schedule your heat pump repair service in North Beach, MD, today.

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