Imagine you are alone in your home on a quiet morning. When you are relaxing and enjoying your free time, your AC thunders. You won’t be able to listen to the TV or music or peacefully read your favourite book. Also, you may miss the doorbell or your phone call. You may have to turn off the AC to regain your peace, but a comfortable environment will be gone. Hence, you must know how to fix noisy air ducts.
How to Fix Air Ducts?
You should know that ducts did roar on their own. Instead, the passing air creates noise. Also, many other factors influence air movement. Before reaching out to Air Duct Repair and Replacement Lawrenceville, you should know some noise reduction basics.
Closed Vent Obstructions
If only one vent is closed, it might not make a difference. However, your AC operation can become noisier if many are closed. The reason is that closed vents place unwanted pressure on your AC unit. Hence, it would be ideal if you always kept them open.
Drooping or Curved Flex Ducts
There might be a leakage or twist if flex ducts are improperly installed. Hence, it can make it challenging for your system to transport air. Therefore, this increases pressure and produces noise.
Clogged Air Filter or Ducts
With time, dust and filth accumulate in your HVAC air filters and ductwork, making it harder for your system to transfer air. While it pollutes the indoor air quality, it may also make the system louder. Hence, you should call Heating and Air Conditioning Service Lawrenceville for cleaning and replacement.
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How Can You Fix High Static Pressure?
You know that high stationary pressure can make the HVAC operation noisier. The reason is that your ducts are not able to accommodate the amount of air passing through. Here is how you can fix it:
Regulate Fan Speed
You should make sure that your HVAC fan has been set to deliver the proper airflow per ton. Your HVAC installer will configure it appropriately during installation. However, not all installations are perfect. Hence, fans run at a higher speed than usual. So, it is better to adjust your system to a lower fan speed to diminish the stationary pressure and the noise.
Add Duct
Occasionally, the equipment is sized appropriately, but ductworks are too minute to accommodate the air volume. In this case, you should increase the ductwork as it helps reduce static pressure and noise. Your contractor may install a more extensive duct in the reachable area around the blower or heater. So, you can frequently enlarge the size of your returns and supply vents.
Include a Bypass Duct
If you have numerous zones in a solo system, it is sometimes possible to include a bypass duct to help reduce pressure and noise within the system.
Add Or Enlarge Grills and Registers
Usually, a majority of the homes do not have sufficient return air. Hence, adding new returns or enlarging the size of an existing grill is an excellent way to reduce stationary pressure. It will reduce unnecessary sounds also. If required, your HVAC contractor can also tie a new supply register into the ducts or enhance the size of an existing one.
Install High-Velocity Register Models
Occasionally, the type of registers and grills might be the cause of loud noise. Hence, if you replace them with high-velocity models, you can enhance airflow and reduce static pressure.
Install a Variable Speed Blower
One more way to reduce airflow sound is to install a variable-speed blower. However, it’s the best time to upgrade to a variable-speed blower if you plan to replace your AC unit. It allows you to adjust the airflow. Hence, you can choose low airflow moving through the ducts.
Hard Pipes Vs Flex Ducts
While everything else is equal, ducts made of rigid pipe are usually noisier than flex ducts. The reason is that when air moves through metal, it creates sound. On the contrary, flexible ducts feature no obstacle, twist, and bends.
However, hard pipe ducts are less susceptible to twists and bends, so it is deemed better for airflow purposes. On the contrary, flexible ducts are likely to bend or twist and can be a failure for airflow.
So, it’s a trade-off. If you want to maintain good airflow with rigid pipes, you will have to bear the noise. And if you want to avoid noise with flex ducts, you may face airflow issues.
So, if you want uninterrupted airflow and fix noisy air ducts, you should choose hard pipe ducts with a variable-speed blower. Also, rigid pipes are noisier but not always.
Do you Have a Home with Sole and Central Return?
It is usually the case if you have smaller houses like condominiums. When such homes are built, contractors may install a heater or air handler exactly on the return plenum ducted to the central return. It is usually done through a hole in the wall with a grill positioned on the other side.
So, even if you have a variable-speed blower, it is not easy to eliminate sound as the blower is fixed here, and there is little space for any extra ductwork.
Hence, the primary issue is with space and design. If there is space for a new ductwork installation, it can help reduce noise. However, some designs feature an air handler installed right behind the bedroom wall or a heater not fixed on rubber pads.
Occasionally, it is possible to fix these issues, but it is not always possible.
Noisy Air Ducts May Indicate a Major Technical Issue
After inspecting your system for closed vents or twisted ducts, you should immediately call a reliable HVAC service to check the static pressure.
MMI Home Improvement is the leading HVAC contractor in Georgia, US. We use cutting-edge equipment and revolutionary methods to provide superb services. If you schedule an HVAC service with us, our skilled technician will closely examine your system and propose the best solutions.
They will examine your system for any damages or potential problems and fix them so that you can enjoy the most peaceful and relaxed evening.