One lesson you learn very early on in the HVAC industry is that every heating or cooling system has its own noises it makes. This exists on a spectrum, from normal noises of the heating or cooling process, to the noises that spell disaster to every homeowner who hears them.
There’s a misconception that boilers don’t make as much noise as other heating systems like furnaces or heat pumps, but that’s just not true. Sure they might run quieter since they’re not a forced-air system, but they still make noises when they’re having issues and you should still be on the lookout for those issues. Whether it’s banging, shrieking, or grinding, your boiler could be warning you that you need some work on your HVAC in Avon, OH. These problems can be costing you money on your heating bill that could only get worse the longer you ignore them!
The Various Signs
These noises are less a nuisance and more a sign that something is clearly wrong. Just like any other malfunctioning appliance or vehicle, loud and obnoxious noises are clues into the malfunction itself.
Banging
Probably the most common of boiler noises, a banging or clunking noise can be indicative of one of many issues possibly occurring. The most common and most blatantly problematic issue that could be occurring is when the hot and cold water meet in the tank or the heat loops. This is called a “water hammer.”
“Water hammer” happens when water gets accelerated by pressure and rapidly changes direction. If you’re hearing the noise and not noticing any other problems, you’re pretty lucky. “Water hammer,” or hydraulic shock, can cause major problems. Eventually, a strong enough water shock could cause the pipes connected to your boiler to collapse. Contact a professional to repair this glaring issue as soon as possible.
Rumbling
Homeowners often freak out about a rumbling sound coming from their boiler, primarily because it feels like the system is about to explode. We assure you, boilers exploding is an extraordinarily rare circumstance.
Usually, this means that the mixing valve is having problems while hot and cold water is mixing at the top of the tank. Not only that, but a rumbling sound could indicate limescale build-up from your water source which will inevitably create a temperature imbalance. Scale build-up in a boiler can be a huge problem the longer it’s left alone, so we implore you to contact a professional if you hear a rumbling noise.
Booming
Mainly associated with natural gas boilers, this noise signifies that the burners are dirty or are unable to draw enough air to evenly ignite the gas. The burners must be detached and cleaned appropriately, but this is a process that should only be done by a licensed professional technician.
These three noises are the most common, but there are other boiler-related noises that come up sometimes. The trick is to remain vigilant and to have a dependable HVAC technician to rely on when you’re unsure.
Give one of our experienced technicians a call at Westland Heating & Air Conditioning if you’re experiencing boiler noises.
