Squeaks, whistling, and grinding… what your heat pump is trying to tell you

Let’s be honest… most of us are pretty unfamiliar with how our home’s HVAC system works and even fewer of us feel capable of fixing them ourselves. So it makes sense that sounds of grinding, whistling, or vibrating from our unit can easily send us into a panic. But don’t worry. These noises can actually tell you quite a bit about what is happening inside your system.

Here are a few frequently asked questions and answers concerning heat pumps:

Q: Why is my heat pump making noise?

A: A heat pump does make some sort of noise while operating and it is considered normal. However, if you hear any strange noises while the heat pump is running, then it means that the device needs a check. These strange noises include whistling, a sound that comes when two metals touch together, noises in the air duct, and noise when the motor is running. All these noises need to be checked and solved by an experienced HVAC contractor. Regular annual maintenance of heat pumps by a professional is recommended.

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Q: Why is my heat pump making noise but not running?

A: The reason for your heat pump making noise while turning on but the device not running can be because of a damaged fan capacitor. A capacitor is responsible for storing the electrical energy for a period of time and passing on the energy to the compressor. You can tell the capacitor is going bad when the heat pump has a delay in starting. So don’t wait for the heat pump to stop running completely because of a bad capacitor, which can cause further problems.

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Q: Why is my heat pump making noise in cold weather?

A: Whenever your heat pump goes to the defrost mode, it is normal sometimes for the device to make a vibrating noise. But if you hear any clicking, grinding, or screeching noise, please contact your HVAC service to check for any leakage or damage of any parts.

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Q: Why is my heat pump making noise but my fan is not spinning?

A: If your heat pump is making noise and you also notice that the fan is not spinning along with some grinding noise, then you must switch off the unit. If you want, you can adjust the thermostat to the emergency heat position until you get someone to fix the issue.

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So next time you hear odd noises coming from your unit, rest assured that your HVAC repair service can use these noises to diagnose the problem and quickly get your unit back into top condition. If Veteran Air Conditioning & Heating can be of service to your family, please let us know.