Heat pump noises

[Vinny]

We never had a heat pump before moving here and my wife is complaining that it makes banging noises when it turns on and it is loud when running. Is this normal?

[redwitch]

We have heat pumps? I don't think my villa has one, could be wrong -- not something I normally notice, sorry. Regardless, I don't think they're supposed to be banging and clanging.

[2 Oldcrabs]

We have had Heat Pumps in De for 30 years. They do make some different noises when in heat mode. We hear whining noises and have seen steam coming from the unit. Tech informed us that it is in "defrost mode". We also hear a banging noise sometimes and told it is the "reversing valve". You may want to contact the warranty dept if you think there is a problem. They may not be able to hear the issue unless it is "Cold" outsides

[Army Guy]

Vinny, being stationed in teh South now for a good bit of my career, we have had a heat pumps for over 25 years. To me, they are the absolutely BEST system to use for heat and cooling in areas that do not get bitter cold. Yes, they do make weird sounds that if you are not use to, will make you notice them. BUT they are completely normal. Some of the sounds are the switch valve going back and forth. It is the valve that is actually the heart of it being both air/heat. It reverses the flow of puron/refrig in the system. That is why you will notice in the summer the aair the fan outside blows is HOT as it is removing the heat in the house and putting it outside and in the winter it is cold cause it is removing the cold air. You will also hear the sound of the fan cutting off and on as the compressor cycles. Especially in the winter, as it will actually cycle where the fan shuts, the compressor is still running, but the valve reverses to send heat outside to the coils to keep them from freezing solid which they will if your unit is not working right.
The most important part of a heat pump as I said is that valve and keeping enough puron/refrig in the system.
But tell your wife relax and enjoy the cost savings!

Army Guy

[Mikitv]

We have a new home over in Pennecamp that has a heat pump and our is fairly quiet. If still under warranty have it checked out.

[Vinny]

Vinny, being stationed in teh South now for a good bit of my career, we have had a heat pumps for over 25 years. To me, they are the absolutely BEST system to use for heat and cooling in areas that do not get bitter cold. Yes, they do make weird sounds that if you are not use to, will make you notice them. BUT they are completely normal. Some of the sounds are the switch valve going back and forth. It is the valve that is actually the heart of it being both air/heat. It reverses the flow of puron/refrig in the system. That is why you will notice in the summer the aair the fan outside blows is HOT as it is removing the heat in the house and putting it outside and in the winter it is cold cause it is removing the cold air. You will also hear the sound of the fan cutting off and on as the compressor cycles. Especially in the winter, as it will actually cycle where the fan shuts, the compressor is still running, but the valve reverses to send heat outside to the coils to keep them from freezing solid which they will if your unit is not working right.
The most important part of a heat pump as I said is that valve and keeping enough puron/refrig in the system.
But tell your wife relax and enjoy the cost savings!

Army Guy

Thanks from ex Army Mobile Artillery guy.

[Rob Stevens]

Nearly every home in FLA built in the last 30 years has a heat pump. You'll notice the wheezing and vapors in the winter but probably not in the summer. They do make noise because of the fan and the compressor.