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It's officially spooky season. With all the haunted houses and scary movies, you may already feel on edge. There's nothing like scary sounds in your home to really send you into a panic! Here are 5 scary sounds you should never hear coming from your HVAC system and what they mean exactly.

1. Squealing or Screeching

If you hear this noise coming from your HVAC system, it's usually due to a problem with your motor or blower. Your blower motor might be worn out due to overheating or old age. A lot of times, homeowners experience overheated blowers because of dirt buildup or a bad capacitor. Contact an HVAC professional if yo notice any high-pitched squealing or screeching coming from your heating and cooling equipment.

2. Rattling

Rattling noises are certainly not something you want to ignore, because they could indicate a pretty serious problem. For one, it could mean you have a cracked heat exchanger, which is the number one cause of carbon monoxide leaks. However, it could also just mean you have a loose screw that needs to be tightened. All that being said, though, if you hear rattling, you should contact an HVAC professional right away to make sure it's not a serious issue.

3. Scraping

Metal against metal noises are not only unpleasant, but it could be a sign of a problem that needs attention. A lot of times, scraping indicates an issue with your blower wheel. However, it could also mean there's a loose part that needs tightening. No matter what, you should contact an HVAC professional if you hear scraping.

4. Banging

If your HVAC unit bangs, especially when it shuts off, it's likely due to a dirty air filter. When your filter is dirty and clogged, it restricts airflow and causes warm air to back up into your furnace instead of out. However, once the heating cycle stops and your furnace turns off, the metal panels cool and can produce a banging noise. Like with any strange, sudden noise you hear, it's not a bad idea to contact an HVAC professional just in case it's a more serious issue that needs attention.

5. Buzzing

Buzzing sounds can be confusing because there are so many reasons for it. It could mean you have loose wiring, broken parts, unbalanced fan blades, or even a dirty air filter that needs replaced. Needless to say, if you hear buzzing coming from your HVAC unit, you should schedule an appointment with your local heating and cooling contractor to be safe.

Are You Hearing Any Of These Scary HVAC Sounds? Contact The Pros At Peter Levi Today! We Are Here For All Your HVAC Needs In Northern California.

For over 35 years, Peter Levi has been providing fast, professional heating and cooling services you can count on. The experts at Peter Levi are here to help with all your HVAC needs. Contact us today at 800-868-6885 or online here.

7 Benefits Of Installing A Ductless Mini-Split

A ductless mini-split, also known as a ductless HVAC unit, is a type of heating and cooling that doesn't require ductwork for installation. Many homeowners nowadays are installing ductless mini-splits in their home - and for good reason. Here are 7 benefits to consider if you're on the fence about whether or not to have one installed yourself!

1. Saves You Money

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Star ductless units use 60% less energy than conventional electric heating systems. This means that you are able to save more money on your utility bills. In fact, you can save 30-40% off the energy costs. However, this is only true if your unit is properly installed and regularly maintained.

2. Saves You Space

Ductless mini-splits are easy to install AND save you space. You can actually mount them on your wall so you don't have to worry about moving around furniture or having any invasive ductwork being an eye sore. Homeowners report them being much more aesthetically pleasing than most traditional HVAC units because of this.

3. Increases Your Energy-Efficiency

Ductless systems are a lot more energy efficient than most traditional units, for a few different reasons. First, you can turn off units in rooms that aren't being used rather than continuing to heat or cool your entire house. Second, you never have to worry about leaky ductwork because no ductwork is necessary for these units to operate. And lastly, ductless units use variable speed compressors instead of one- or two-speed compressors. This means that they're constantly making adjustments to keep your home at a consistent temperature instead of cycling on and off - saving you electricity.

4. Improves Your Indoor Air Quality

Air ducts collect all sorts of contaminants like dirt, dust, mold, pet dander and more. Because your ductless unit operates without the use of ductwork, this isn't something you need to worry about. You can enjoy a much cleaner home, free of contaminants and germs when you go ductless.

5. Gives You More Control and Offers Personalized Comfort

If your family is one to fight over the temperature in the house, then a ductless mini-split might just be the solution to end all that bickering! Having more control over your comfort is one of the greatest benefits of owning a ductless unit. Your ductless mini-split comes equipped with indoor single-room, wall-mounted units that give you the ability to heat and cool certain area or "zones" of your house without having to heat and cool the entire home. This means that you can control and adjust the temperature in each individual room to ensure everyone in your home is comfortable.

6. Requires Minor Maintenance

We recommend scheduling annual maintenance no matter what type of HVAC unit you have - even ductless! However, the maintenance you need to do as a homeowner is much less than what you'd need to do if you had a traditional HVAC unit. You will still want to clean the filters, keep the vents of the wall unit clear, and tidy up around the units to make sure they maintain proper airflow. However, you don't need to worry about cleaning any ductwork, sealing duct leaks, or anything of that sort like you do with traditional units.

7. They're Environmentally-Friendly

We're all about saving the environment these days! Because ductless mini-splits are so efficient, it's also great for the environment. If a room isn't being occupied and therefore, doesn't need to be heated or cooled, then you can easily just turn off that part of the unit. It requires less energy, and is much better for the environment.

Contact The Pros At Peter Levi Today! We Are Here For All Your Ductless Mini-Split Needs In Northern California.

For over 35 years, Peter Levi has been providing fast, professional heating and cooling services you can count on. The experts at Peter Levi are here to help with all your ductless mini-split needs. Contact us today at 800-868-6885 or online here.

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