Bang, pop, whistle. Those are some of the sounds that you may be hearing from your Ohio home's ductwork. Those duct noises can be a source of concern, especially if you can't figure out what's causing them.
If your ducts are brand new or freshly cleaned, you may be hearing expansion and contraction in the ductwork itself. Heating and cooling systems send air through the ducts at high pressures, which can expand the sides of ducts. This is especially a problem with rectangular ductwork. The long side of the rectangle will expand more than the shorter side. This condition is often referred to as "oil canning" hearkening back to the way old oil cans operated.
When the HVAC system shuts down, it will often contract with a banging or popping sound. If the noises are constant, one solution is to replace the ductwork with round or square ducts that are less likely to pop or bang during contraction. You might also be able to stiffen the duct with cross bracing.
With older ducts that you haven't had cleaned recently, you may be experiencing an issue with your fuel-burning furnace. Burners burn fuel to produce heat. When one or more of the burners become clogged, it can cause a delayed ignition when the furnace kicks on. Instead of igniting instantly, the fuel builds up in the ignition chamber. When the built-up fuel finally ignites, it literally explodes, creating a bang or pop that can ring through the ductwork. Those burners need cleaned by a professional.
If you're getting banging, popping or whistling duct noises, call in the experts at P.K. Wadsworth Heating & Cooling. P.K. Wadsworth proudly serves Cleveland, Chagrin Falls, Mentor, Lakewood, Strongsville, Euclid, Willoughby, Hudson, Solon & nearby!