From This Old House.
In this video, building engineer Ross Trethewey shows Kevin O’Connor the causes of common HVAC noises and how simple changes can minimize them.
SUBSCRIBE to This Old House: http://bit.ly/SubscribeThisOldHouse.
We always appreciate our cozy heat when the temperatures plummet and our air conditioning when it’s scorching hot out. But one thing most homeowners don’t love about the HVAC systems is how loud they can be. Building engineer Ross Trethewey breaks down the common causes and some simple solutions.
Looking for more step by step guidance on how to complete projects around the house? Join This Old House Insider to stream over 1,000 episodes commercial-free: https://bit.ly/2GPiYbH
Plus, download our FREE app for full-episode streaming to your connected TV, phone or tablet: https://www.thisoldhouse.com/pages/streaming-app
Where to find it?
Ross used a sound level meter [https://amzn.to/41P2jfE] that measured the sound pressure in decibels.
Noisy Fan Solution
A fan is going to sound louder the closer it is to the supply and return vents. Ross advises adding insulated flexible ducts [https://homedepot.sjv.io/PO4BxY] in between the fan and vent. This will create distance from the vent and the curve of the flex duct will help absorb sound.
Air Velocity Solutions
When airflow is restricted, air speeds up to squeeze through smaller openings. The faster the air moves, the more turbulence and noise it creates.
Ross explains one solution is adjusting the balance damper [https://amzn.to/4l6Jyvy]. By adjusting airflow at the register [https://homedepot.sjv.io/BnbBZ9], the noise will be heard louder at the final exit point. If you can access the balancing damper, the turbulence and noise will happen further upstream in the ductwork, away from the exit point.
If accessing the damper level is an issue, Ross suggests looking at the register. Wooden registers [https://amzn.to/4ldBLwf] are usually bulkier and have more airflow resistance than metal registers [https://homedepot.sjv.io/19R2X6]. More restriction increases the velocity and noise of the air coming through.
Replacing a register with a larger one could also help. Ross explains how switching from a 4×10 register [https://homedepot.sjv.io/19R2X6] to a 6×10 register [https://homedepot.sjv.io/xLQOV3] increases the area for airflow. The diameter size will stay the same, but a larger boot [https://homedepot.sjv.io/vPxWeW] will need to be installed.
About Ask This Old House TV: From the makers of This Old House, America’s first and most trusted home improvement show, Ask This Old House answers the steady stream of home improvement questions asked by viewers across the United States. Covering topics from landscaping to electrical to HVAC and plumbing to painting and more. Ask This Old House features the experts from This Old House, including general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, landscape contractor Jenn Nawada, master carpenter Norm Abram, and host Kevin O’Connor. ASK This Old House helps you protect and preserve your greatest investment—your home.
Follow This Old House:
Facebook: http://bit.ly/ThisOldHouseFB
Twitter: http://bit.ly/ThisOldHouseTwitter
Pinterest: http://bit.ly/ThisOldHousePinterest
Instagram: http://bit.ly/ThisOldHouseIG
Common Cause for Noisy HVAC | Ask This Old House
https://www.youtube.com/user/thisoldhouse/
