Noisy Heat Pump...

[Bruce H.]

Hi,

I live in the Phoenix area and have a heat pump for my home A/C cooling and winter heating. Six years ago we had our unit replaced outside,which contains the compressor and cooling coils. The unit in the attic, which I believe is called an air handler, is original. It is probably 18 years old. We have lived in our house for 9 1/2 years and have never had anyone service the unit in the attic. The last couple of summers I have noticed that when the A/C turns on in the afternoon, the attic unit rumbles for approximately the first minute it is on, then it runs quietly for the remaining cycle. Now that it is starting to cool down, it was only 94 degrees at our house today, the A/C unit in the attic runs very quiet all day. What could cause the attic unit to rumble like this only when the outside temp. is above 95 degrees F ?

[Don@HT]

Hmm, this is kind of a curious one. I'm wondering if the air handler isn't firmly anchored. When it's first firing up, it might be getting jostled as the refrigeration system is kicking into action. I'm not really sure, though. I think it's time to have the unit serviced--be sure they change the filters (which you should be doing twice a year) and check for any bearings that may need lubrication--which may be the case with an older unit like this.
--Don V

[CurtisC]

It could be jostling the Unit, It may also be flexible duct work in the attic that needs to be replaced or secured properly. It is recommended here in Arizona that you have your unit checked out twice a year. This is SRP and APS recommendations.

[CurtisC]

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