Noisy air vents are a problem for many homeowners. Depending on the cause, you may be able to fix the problem yourself. Here’s a checklist to help you determine if it’s a quick fix or if you should call an HVAC professional.
Has the problem been ongoing or is it new?
If you’ve had noisy air vents since you first got the system, there’s a possibility that your ducts are the wrong size. Ducts that are too small will often make a whistling or whining sound as too much air is forced through. An HVAC professional will have to check your ducts to see if they’re the right size. Even if you suspect this is the problem, go through the rest of the checklist to make sure there’s not a simpler solution first.
Has your filter been changed recently?
If not, you may have a dusty filter that’s impeding air flow. If so, you may have a filter that wasn’t put in properly, leaving gaps around the filter that air whistles through.
Could you have something caught in your vents or ducts?
This is more likely to happen if you have floor-level vents. Toys, paper, and other objects occasionally find their way into vents. If they block the flow of air, you can hear a whining sound. Even if your vents are up high, it’s worth it to check and see if anything is caught in them.
Do you have all your supply registers open?
Modern HVAC systems are designed with the assumption that air will be pumped out every available vent or register. Closing some of your registers alters the pressure in the system, leading to noisy air vents.
Is there anything outside your vents that’s blocking air flow?
Furniture, curtains, and other large objects can keep air from being pulled back into the system. If there’s not enough air going in, you’ll end up with noisy air vents.
Want to learn more about dealing with noisy air vents or other HVAC issues in the Indianapolis area? Contact Mowery Heating, Cooling and Plumbing today.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Brownsburg, Indiana and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
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