5 Ways to Stop Common Noisy Home Heating Problems Fast – Keep Warm Without All That Racket
HVAC pros reveal the simple fixes you can apply to stop noisy heating in its tracks
If your radiators clank, your furnace hums, or your vents rattle when the heat kicks in – you shouldn’t just grin and bear it. Noisy heating systems are more than just annoying; they can be a sign of inefficiency or worn parts that make your system work harder and cost you more in the long run.
Luckily, there are five simple fixes that HVAC experts recommend you try to easily restore peace and keep systems running smoothly.
Here’s how the pros silence heating systems for good so you can stay warm without the racket, and make heating more efficient.
How to Fix Noisy Heating Yourself
Before you can silence your heating system and cut energy bills, you need to work out why your home heating is making noise in the first place.
According to our HVAC pros, five common sounds might keep you up at night – this is how to fix each for a quieter, warmer night’s sleep.
1. Whistling HVAC Vents
Whistling heat vents are usually a result of dust build up.
Whistling or hissing from HVAC vents is one of the most common noise complaints, and can usually be explained by a blocked vent or duct, according to Tim Alagushov, COO of IRBIS Air, Plumbing & Electrical.
Tim says, ‘Check and ensure that all your vents and registers are open and not blocked by furniture, drapes, holiday decor, or blankets. Also, check that your air filter is clean. If everything appears to be in order after these DIY checks, and you continue to hear the hissing or whistling sound, contact your HVAC provider.’
This vacuum hose attachment and dryer brush, from Walmart, can also help you to clean dust and debris from your heating vents to improve efficiency, remove blocks, and reduce burning smells.
2. Rumbling Furnaces
A rumbling furnace might also be a sign that your heating system needs servicing or repairs.
If the noise is coming from your furnace or boiler, it may be a build-up of sediment or scale on your heat exchanger, explains David Miloshev, appliance tech, licensed electrician, and HVAC expert at Fantastic Services.
He says, ‘Over time, minerals in water deposit on the heating surfaces. This causes a rumble or kettle-like boiling noise. In this situation, you can’t do much without tools, and it is usually a sign to call the pros, but you can help to reduce the strain in the system yourself in the meantime.
'Lower the system temperature slightly. If you’re familiar with system drains, you can drain a small amount of water from the boiler to flush the sediment. However, only do this if you’re confident and can safely shut off the boiler. Full descaling is a professional job and can wait until spring if the heating is still effective.’
3. Rattling Ductwork
Left unchecked, rumbling ductwork could result in damage.
In the case of rattling ductwork in your HVAC system, David continues, ‘The cause is usually loose sheet metal or fasteners vibrating when air moves through. This is often because of age or expansion. Locate the vibrating section and apply metal HVAC tape [from Lowe’s], but not regular duct tape, to stiffen or seal seams.’
Banging might also occur as the ducts heat, the metal contracting when cold and expanding as it comes into contact with warm air. This is normal, but Davic suggests you can limit the noise by ‘insulating the outside of the duct with adhesive-backed duct insulation [also available at Lowe’s] to reduce movement noise.’
It might also be worth checking that the heat vent cover is secure, Kevin Goude, owner of First Choice HVAC, adds. ‘Start by removing the vent grille, tighten any loose screws, and preferably add a strip of foam tape or weatherstripping [available from Walmart] along the edge to cushion the metal and stop the vibration completely.’ It helps to have a multi-head screwdriver, available at Walmart, on hand, too, for quick DIY fixes like this.
4. Gurgling Radiators
Bleeding radiators can also boost heating efficiency.
If your radiator system is gurgling or bubbling, there is likely trapped air in the system. Luckily, Scott Levene, VP at Levco, explains, ‘Bleeding radiators is simple and releases the trapped air to stop the noise and improve efficiency.
'You can do this by turning off the heating and waiting for it to cool down. Place the towel and bowl under the bleed valve, then insert the radiator key [spares are available at Walmart] and turn it counterclockwise. A hissing sound indicates that air is escaping, so monitor the water flow and ensure it is steady before turning the key back clockwise.’
5. Banging Radiators
Radiator noises may be traced back to the boiler itself.
If your radiators are banging or knocking, on the other hand, Kevin warns that it may be a pressure issue.
He explains, 'Most homes with hot-water radiators have a pressure gauge near the boiler. When it’s cold, it should sit around 12 to 15 psi – if it’s higher, let a little water out through a radiator valve, but if it’s low, top it up using the filling loop.
‘You should always let the system cool first before checking or adjusting the pressure,’ he adds. ‘When the heating is running, the pressure naturally rises as the water expands, so readings won’t be accurate.’
What to Shop
This cleaning tool it was designed for cleaning dryers, but it is just as helpful for cleaning radiators and heat vents, removing dust to boost efficiency.
Weather stripping is not just for insulating. It can help to dampen vent covers to prevent rattling for quieter heating.
A multi-head screwdriver is a must for every home even if you are not into DIY, allowing you to complete quick fix tasks as and when they crop up around your home.
Bleeding radiators is quick and easy. Simply use an old tin can to collect water as it drains, tighten the screw, and dispose of the liquid down your regular drain.
If your ductwork is very loud when heating up, adding noise insulation can reduce disturbance while boosting efficiency.
Metal HVAC tape strengthens your HVAC ducts to prevent loose joints rattling under the strain of forced air.
Meet the Experts
Tim co-founded IRBIS HVAC Inc. with Vadim Vechkanov, an architect who transitioned into a skilled technician. Together, they built IRBIS into a multi-million-dollar HVAC, plumbing, and electrical service provider in San Jose.
As a licensed electrician, David is an expert when it comes to appliance care and maintenance.
Kevin is the owner of First Choice Heating & Air, which specializes in HVAC and air quality. Kevin is not just a company leader; he has hands-on experience in HVAC, including installing and troubleshooting smart thermostats.
Scott is the vice president at Levco, which is an oil and HVAC service company in Trumbull, CT. Scott has been working for the company for over 18 years and has helped numerous clients find smart cooling solutions.
There are several other things making your heating system work harder, too, that you should address asap to save money at home.
