Zoned HVAC unit super loud!

12 years ago

We live in an older home built in 1950 that we have remodeled extensively. It's a story and a half and has always been hard to heat/cool the upstairs bedrooms, especially the one that meets the attic space above the garage. We recently replaced the furnace and AC and had a zoned system put in which allows us to have a separate thermostat upstairs. It has certainly solved our problem and I have no complaints about keeping the upstairs at a comfortable temperature- finally! The bad news is that it sounds like a jet engine is taking off- especially when the AC is on, and especially when only the upstairs us being cooled/heated (the zoned system is in use.) When I say loud, I mean it woke me up in the middle of the night and I had to put it earplugs to go back to sleep. Please tell me this is NOT normal! I'd love some insight as to what could be causing this so I've got some knowledge when the HVAC guys come back out.

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Comments (6)

mike_home
12 years ago
Do you know the furnace and AC equipment models and sizes?

How large in area are the two zones?
AlynnD
Original Author
12 years ago
I would have to find out that info- I don't have it on hand. I know we have a Maytag AC (m2100 I think) and some kind of HE furnace. The furnace is in the crawl space and I don't really go down there. Our home is 3500 sq. ft. So I'd say the upstairs is around 1000, and downstairs is 2500. We also had an air filtration system put in place. Not sure if that would make a difference or not. The guys still have one or two things left to do before they're done so we haven't paid the last half of the bill yet so we don't have the warranty info, etc. with model numbers.
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mike_home
12 years ago
I suspect your contractor has installed an furnace and AC that is too big for your duct work. This is what is causing the noise. The condition is aggravated when the second floor zone is calling for heating or cooling. It the zoning is not done properly too much air is going to the second floor duct work which causes even more noise.

Most HVAC contractors are not good at zoning. I hope they have installed a properly sized variable speed furnace and 2-stage AC. If not then it may be difficult to solve the noise problems.

All the equipment you have purchased should have been detailed on your quote. If it was not, then you never received a valid quote.

I suggest you withhold the final payment until the problem is corrected. Gather up all the information and start talking to the contractor.
AlynnD
Original Author
12 years ago
Thank you for your input. Ugh. I hate hearing that and I hope they have installed the correct equipment. I plan on calling Monday. We'll see what they say.
Lisa Kenny
last year
I know this post is old, but any updates on what helped? i have a similar issue
PRO
Charles Ross Homes
last year
Hi, Lisa,

I can't guarantee you won't get the usual negative input from the two dysfunctional HVAC contractors who frequent this forum, but I think you'll get more useful responses if you start a new thread. Include as much information as you can about your HVAC system's configuration and problems. Plenty of houzzers are willing to help others without having to be "on the clock."