Why is My Heater Making Noises?

noises

Anthem Heating and Air

Your heater is like a friend who comforts you when the weather is screaming minus degrees. It’s the best feeling ever, right? Now imagine that same friend, but this time they’re yelling at you and making all sorts of weird noises. That can be pretty annoying, especially when you can’t figure out what’s wrong with them. This is what a noisy heater is like.

These problems are common with many home appliances, heaters included. There are many reasons why heaters make unusual noises. And, sadly, most of them are indicators of faults and maintenance problems. This article reveals the causes of these noises and what you can do to avoid them.

Why Your Heater Makes Strange Noises

Most heaters function similarly. For them to warm your home, many components must work together, including blower fans, draft inducers, air filters, and motors, most of which have moving parts. Without proper maintenance, parts are bound to fail, and noises are a major sign of failure or inefficiency. Take, for instance, when a screw or a bolt becomes loose, what happens? The shaking leads to rambling or rattling noises. This is one of the noises common with heaters.

YouTube video

Common Strange Heater Noises 

  • Rattling noises

Loose nuts, bolts, and screws cause the heater to shake, especially the blower fan, producing rattling noises. Particularly, the blower fan has a set screw holding the blower wheel in place. When this screw loosens from the constant spinning, it tends to rock and produce a strange rattling noise. More so, when the mounting bolts holding the blower fan in place loosen, the heater will make noises when it’s running. These noises can be fixed by simply tightening the screws and bolts. 

  • Grinding noises

This heater noise is produced when parts of the heater scrape against each other, sounding like metal screeching sounds. Although they are not as intense as the metal screech noise, they are quite loud and distinct. A good example is when a part gets stuck in a moving part. Over long periods, this abrasion wears off the involved components and can cause total failure. Call a heating expert for help in such situations.

  • Truck-idling noise

Have you ever heard the noise trucks make when the engine is on, but the truck is not in motion? That is called an idling noise. Since your heater is not a truck, you don’t want this noise coming from it. The noise indicates worn-off bearings, especially in the blower motor and draft inducer fan. This oddly satisfying noise can be eliminated by fine-tuning the affected part of the heater and helping prevent more damage.

  • Whistling noise 

Is your heater making whistling noises? That could be a dirty air filter. When air tries to force itself through a dirty air filter, it will whistle. The air filters are there to catch dust that goes through the return duct. This dirt can harm the heat exchanger if allowed to pass through. Again, you don’t want dirty air circulating inside your home’s interior. A quick solution is ensuring air filters are replaced frequently.

  • Squealing noises

Heaters with belt-drive motors have a rubber conveyor-like belt that assists the rotation of the motor. Several things can go wrong with this belt. It can snap out of alignment, wear off, or get dirty. All of these situations make the heater produce squealing noises. These noises can be eliminated by cleaning, replacing, or realigning the belt properly.

noises

How To Stop the Heater Noises Completely

Most of these heater noises are common. However, they need to be fixed as soon as they are experienced. How else can you enjoy a peaceful, cold evening? Again, you might realize that most of the noises are preventable in the first place. Yes, it is possible with scheduled maintenance. 

Technicians offer HVAC maintenance to ensure that all your appliances operate optimally at all times. If you haven’t before, now is the best time to sign up for a maintenance schedule with a professional HVAC company. 

How Anthem Can Help

Anthem offers an HVAC maintenance package at an incredible value. Our Preferred Maintenance is a one-year commitment and includes benefits that extend the life of your equipment, keep it running efficiently, and give you peace of mind. Anthem is one of the leading air conditioning repair companies in Coachella Valley. We have the experience and expertise to help you stay warm during this cold season. We service the Coachella Valley and Riverside seven days a week, and our technicians are ready to go any time of the day.

How Much Does It Cost to Replace Ductwork?

duct

 

Sadly, there is no straight answer to this question without looking at the various factors surrounding the specific duct. However, a replacement cost is often around $35-$55 per linear foot or $175 – $400 per duct. Ideally, it will cost around $1,000 to $5,000 for a single-family home.

Why is Ductwork so Important?

Good ventilation, optimum air distribution, and ideal temperature are vital to every home and office. These qualities require an optimally working duct to achieve.

Without functional ductwork, there is no guaranteeing your HVAC will deliver excellent indoor air quality. Also, a damaged duct coupled with poor airflow could cause moisture in the attic, resulting in health issues.

In a nutshell, if you desire quality airflow from your heating and cooling system, your ductwork should be in good shape.

When Should Ductwork be Replaced?

Nothing lasts forever, including your ductwork. With a faulty duct, the HVAC performance will always be below expectations.

Experts recommend replacing your ductwork between ten and 15 years. Various factors, such as pests or mold, could cause your ductwork to depreciate faster. Additionally, poor duct materials or handling could lead to early degeneration of your ductwork.

Ideally, your ductwork is due for a replacement if you notice any of the following:

  • Noisy HVAC operation
  • Increase in heating or cooling bills
  • Uneven airflow in the conditioned environment
  • Moisture in attic
  • Leaking duct
  • Moisture spots on the ceiling
  • Having a dusty environment
  • The stench of mildew or mold inside your home
  • Experiencing pests inside your home
  • Members of your family experiencing respiratory problems
  • Need for a bigger or smaller ductwork
  • Your ductwork is over 15 years old 

What Influences Ductwork Replacement Costs?

Ductwork replacement cost depends on length, type, labor, location, and materials.

  • Size: House sizes vary from project to project. Large homes need longer ductwork than small ones.
  • Type of ductwork: There are different types of ductwork and costs. You can choose between flexible or metal ducts. Also, the different areas of the project site may require the application of different ducting materials. Therefore, the type of duct chosen is a strong cost determinant.
  • Location: The site of the project influences the cost to a large extent. Where the passage of the ductwork is hard to reach, the cost will be different from an easy to access area.
  • Use of return ducts: Where your project requires a return duct to optimize airflow and circulation, the number of ducts for the project increases along with the cost.
  • Mold remediation: Where your technician discovers mold within your wall space, the required treatment adds to the cost.
  • Ducting complexity: Having to go around obstacles in the way of ducting will push up the cost.
  • Season: A project at a busy time of the year influences the cost of replacement.
  • Where you live: Cost of living impacts the cost of ductwork. Those in rural areas generally pay lower costs compared to the households in urban and metro areas.

duct

Average Ductwork Replacement Costs

On average, a typical ductwork replacement costs anywhere from $175 to $400 per duct. The cost covers old duct removal, supply register, installation of new or old ducting material, and disposal of used materials.

For the experienced DIY homeowner, the typical average cost per linear foot of ductwork is around $35-$55. However, due to the technicality of ductwork, it’s recommended to call an HVAC professional for an actual estimate.

Why You Need Experienced HVAC technicians for Your Ductwork

Considering the investment of ductwork and the benefits of quality installation, having a professional on the job is cost-effective. Proper ducting helps with energy efficiency and quality airflow. Also, you will give your ductwork up to 15 years of longevity.

Spending a little extra for quality service delivery prevents costly maintenance and low HVAC efficiency.

Since poor airflow can be annoying and energy-sapping, you pay for peace of mind by engaging a competent HVAC professional.

If you are a homeowner in the Coachella Valley and Riverside, California, areas and are considering ductwork replacement, Anthem Heating and Air Conditioning is a reliable choice.

Call (760) 895-2621  now to discuss your specific needs and get our competitive quote.

The SEER Ratings Guide for Homeowners

https://anthemcv.com

https://anthemcv.com

Introduction: What are SEER Ratings?

A SEER rating measures the cooling efficiency of a central air conditioning unit or the heating efficiency of a heat pump.

The SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating is a measure of cooling efficiency for central air conditioners. It is based on the temperature difference between indoor and outdoor air, with higher SEER ratings indicating greater energy savings. The best SEER ratings are 14 or higher.

A SEER rating of 14 or higher is considered to be very efficient, while a rating of 10 or lower does not meet the minimum efficiency threshold.

The higher the temperature differential, the higher the SEER rating.

A SEER rating is a measure of the energy efficiency of air conditioning.

What is the Difference Between SEER Ratings?

Though SEER ratings are a great way to measure the efficiency and effectiveness of a heat pump, they are not always reliable. The SEER rating system was developed in the 1970s, and there have been changes in technology since then. There is no perfect formula for calculating efficiency or determining an accurate SEER rating.

What is the Difference Between SEER Efficiency Ratings?

It would be difficult for someone to make an educated decision about which SEER efficiency rating they want without understanding the difference between the ratings.

A SEER, or Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, is a measurement of heat pump efficiency and is an important factor in determining the energy savings and operating cost of a heat pump. The higher the SEER rating, the more efficient and economical that heat pump will be.

A heat pump can be defined as a device that moves heat from one place to another. They are generally used in the wintertime to release heat from inside of buildings and transfer it outside. The higher the SEER or Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, the more efficient and economical that heat pump will be.

 

How to Evaluate the Best High-Efficiency Seer Heat Pumps

This article will guide you on how to Evaluate the Best High-Efficiency Seer Heat Pumps.

A heat pump is a device that transfers heat from one place to another. When it is functioning, it uses temperature differences to move heat from the warmer place to the colder place.

There are three main things that you need to look at for when evaluating these heat pumps.

These are efficiency, noise level, and installation cost.

https://anthemcv.com

What Is a High Efficiency Air Conditioner?

Choosing an air conditioner can be difficult, but there are some features to keep in mind when researching your purchase. Air conditioners are constantly evolving, but there are still many factors to consider.

Efficiency, noise level, and installation cost are all factors that should be considered when deciding which air conditioner is right for you.

A high efficiency air conditioner is a type of air conditioning unit that can provide greater cooling power than the traditional air conditioner.

There are many advantages to installing an energy efficient AC unit. One of the most important advantages is that they can reduce your utility expenses. This is because they use less energy to generate the desired level of cooling. This means that by using one you could potentially save money on your electric bill, or at least reduce it significantly.

Tips on Choosing a SEER Rating of 14 or Higher

Choosing SEER ratings of 14 or higher is the best way to ensure that your new home will be energy efficient. There are three ways to get a SEER rating:

1) Ask your contractor an HVAC installer for the SEER rating.

2) Purchase a home with a pre-tested and sealed SEER rating label on it.

3) Buy a new home with an Energy Star label on it.

If you live around the Coachella Valley area – Indio, Indian Wells, Palm Desert, or La Quinta – a reputable heating and air conditioning repair and provider company is nearby. Let Anthem Heating & Air help you with all your air conditioning and heating questions and needs! Visit us at www.anthemcv.com/ or call now at (760) 895-2621.

YouTube video