If there is one thing you depend on daily in your home, it is your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system. In all seasons (especially here in Texas), our HVAC systems have the ability to make or break our comfort. Because of this, any sign that your HVAC is starting to malfunction can send even the calmest home owner into a panic! Among these types of symptoms, people often notice abnormal sounds coming from their HVAC systems before they notice a drastic change in performance. If you discover that your system is omitting a sound that is new or out of the ordinary, don’t panic. It might be a simple fix. Here are a few common sounds and what could be causing them.

Grinding

If you start to notice a loud grinding noise coming from your HVAC this could be an issue with the fan motor. A well kept fan motor will allow your compressor to operate normally for many years, but there are a couple of things that can shorten its lifespan. One of the most common reasons for a fan motor malfunction is dirt inside the cabinet, and this is one reason why changing your air filter monthly is so important as it is the main defense. If you schedule a professional inspection as soon as you notice the noises, you may be looking at a fairly low cost repair, however, letting the issue go on unchecked can lead to bigger issues with the compressor altogether.

Rattling

If you start to hear a rattle coming from your HVAC system, it might be as minor as loosened nuts or bolts or even debris within the vents. Be sure to clear any dirt, leaves, or any other kind of debris, and then see if the noise continues. It is possible that the rattling sound is symptomatic of an aging compressor, so if after you clean everything up the noise continues, schedule your local HVAC company to come take a closer look to diagnose the issue.

Whistling

If you hear a whistling or hissing sound coming from your HVAC, it is possible that you have a leak somewhere. Most likely, this will be a refrigerant leak coming from the compressor or refrigerant line. Any type of internal valve leak should be handled by a professional HVAC technician as soon as possible. A continued refrigerant leak is not only bad news for your HVAC system, but, if significant enough, it can have serious health implications for those in the home as well.

Upkeep is the biggest factor in prolonging the lifespan of your HVAC system. While attending to any of these symptoms is crucial, preventative care is always the best practice! Changing your air filters regularly, especially if the home has excessive dust or pet dander, is one of the best ways you can maintain your system. Additionally, having a yearly inspection at minimum will likely prevent any serious and expensive issues from accumulating. While you might not think an inspection is necessary, especially if there are no apparent problems with your HVAC now, you will likely save yourself a lot of money in the long run by having a trained eye check out your system.

Help From Your San Marcos Air Conditioning Professionals

Can’t remember the last time you scheduled annual maintenance for your HVAC? Contact AirOne Heating and Air Conditioning, a San Marcos HVAC company, to schedule a maintenance visit today.