Have you noticed that your heat pump is noisy? Take a closer look! This advice applies equally to your wall-mounted, multi-zone or central heat pump. While some noises are perfectly normal, others may require action on your part or the intervention of a specialist like Les Entreprises MPH.

Call in the experts on the North Shore

Defrost Mode

The most common reason for a noisy heat pump is the defrost function. Obviously, this noise occurs in winter, particularly in damp weather and when the mercury is around 0°C. The humidity in the fresh air is conducive to the formation of frost on the outdoor unit.

However, defrosting mode does not affect the operation of your heat pump in any way. In fact, if you have a wall-mounted heat pump, you may see a code appear inside, indicating that your unit has gone into defrost mode.

Snow or Ice Accumulation

There may also be an accumulation of ice or snow on your unit. In addition to these clearly visible signs, you’ll hear a louder-than-usual noise. This is most likely the vibration of the heat pump, caused by the fan becoming unbalanced due to excess ice or snow. In this case, we recommend that you de-ice or remove snow properly and, above all, safely.

Start by turning it off, then close the circuit breaker on the heat pump – and on the furnace, if it’s a central heat pump. Only then will you be able to run hot water on your outdoor unit to melt any accumulated snow or ice. If you have another heating system, you’ll need to use it during this process to keep the heat in. Then, when the operation is complete, you can turn your heat pump back on.

Tip: If your heat pump is still noisy after de-icing, contact a heating and air-conditioning expert right away!

Anti-vibration Pads

 Snow or not, the quality of installation has a direct impact on the noise level produced by your heat pump. If your heat pump is mounted on brackets attached to the foundation wall, make sure there are vibration-damping pads underneath. Unfortunately, some installers overlook this simple and effective measure.

Did you know? According to CMHC, installing a heat pump on or near highly compacted soil can also amplify noise.

Good to know

Before you buy your wall-mounted or central heat pump, you should know that all these appliances produce noise. That’s because they all have a fan that circulates outside air to cool the coils, a compressor, and the circulation of refrigerant gas.

Fortunately, new technologies, such as the Fujitsu wall-mounted heat pump, are making them quieter and quieter. Don’t forget to consult your municipality about regulations governing the maximum number of decibels allowed and minimum distances from property boundaries. Our experts can guide you!

New or Louder Noise? Call our Specialists!

There are many reasons why your heat pump may be noisy: unit positioning, installation, breakage, poor filter maintenance… If it’s a new or louder noise and you can’t find the cause, don’t wait! A heat pump in perfect working order will ensure more efficient and economical heating. Contact our specialists for impeccable service!