When it’s working properly, your hot water heating system should be virtually silent, so hearing unusual noises can be quite worrisome. Fortunately, a pro can help pinpoint what’s causing your home’s noisy boiler operation, such as:
Mineral Buildup
When water heats up in your boiler, naturally-occurring minerals solidify and settle at the bottom of your tank. As buildup accumulates on the heat exchanger, water stays trapped inside where it rapidly boils and bubbles. As the bubbles rise to the top of the tank, you’ll hear a loud rumbling or “kettling” noise. Your HVAC contractor can correct this problem by adding a descaling product and draining your tank.
Inadequate Water Supply
Low water pressure or an insufficient supply of water can lead to overheating, which can cause popping or percolating sounds. A knowledgeable specialist can diagnose the cause, such as a faulty valve, an incorrect flow-rate setting or frozen pipes.
System Air Leaks
If air infiltrates your heating system, pressure variations in your tank can cause banging and knocking noises in the radiators or pipes. Air can seep in through a bad valve, a faulty expansion tank, or any leaks in your pipes. Bleeding your system is a short-term solution for stopping the noise, but your HVAC professional needs to locate and fix the leak to avert future problems.
Thermostat Problems
If your thermostat is set too high, water in your tank can boil and make loud popping and rumbling noises. Lowering the temperature can restore peace and quiet, but it will also reduce the amount of heat produced. If the problem persists, have your thermostat checked by a heating pro to determine if it’s defective.
Incompatible Components
If your heating system is equipped with an incorrectly-sized burner or circulating pump, your boiler will make noises caused by overheating. To determine if your equipment is mismatched, you’ll need to have your system assessed by an experienced contractor.
For expert advice about diagnosing the cause of a noisy boiler in your Northwest Arkansas home, please contact Paschal Heat, Air & Geothermal.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Springdale, Arkansas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about boilers and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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