Browse Forums Heating, Cooling & Insulation 1 Jun 30, 2021 11:08 pm Hi all, We recently installed ducted aircon in our house. Ever since the installation, we noticed all plastic diffusers in different zones make a relatively loud popping/clicking noise when the unit is working to warm up the place. The installation company sent a technician and he confirmed that everything in the roof is fine and the odd noise is indeed coming from the diffusers. The thing is even the technician wasn't sure how to resolve this! While I'm waiting for the company to get back to me with a solution, I was wondering whether any of you could view the short video (https://youtu.be/rEMlIrZtwfo) I took and let me know whether you have any idea why this is happening. Thanks. Re: Round plastic diffusers clicking/popping noise 2Jun 30, 2021 11:27 pm That's certainly unusual. We have one duct like that in our ensuite and it's never made any noise. Have you tried opening them up a little bit. They just screw in and out to let more or less air flow. Accessible Carpentry & Cabinets accessiblecarpentry@gmail.com accessiblecarpentry.com.au https://www.facebook.com/pages/Accessible-Carpentry-Cabinets/583314911709039 Re: Round plastic diffusers clicking/popping noise 3Jun 30, 2021 11:34 pm I have tried adjusting the level of air by turning the circular disk down (to allow more airflow). That didn't help. The only thing that seems to stop the noise (based on my experiment in the last 10 min) is to completely remove the disk at the center of the diffuser, essentially letting the air to come directly down. The fact that their technician was also clueless regarding how to fix this is worrying... Re: Round plastic diffusers clicking/popping noise 4Jul 01, 2021 12:17 am If you wedge something in the opening, say a pair of socks or something that puts a bit of pressure on the disc part does that stop it? I'm just trying to think what could do it. Maybe expansion from the heat. Does it do it if you put it on cold? If it does then it's something to do with air flow. If it only does it on hot then it may be something to do with expansion. Does it stop making the noise after its been on for a while and presumably all heated up? Accessible Carpentry & Cabinets accessiblecarpentry@gmail.com accessiblecarpentry.com.au https://www.facebook.com/pages/Accessible-Carpentry-Cabinets/583314911709039 Re: Round plastic diffusers clicking/popping noise 5Jul 01, 2021 6:35 pm If these are linear grills then screws are too tight . Try backing them off a tiny bit at a time, like a 1/4 turn until its resolved. If its the standard 4 way, well these should never be used in a residential ducted setting. I know, I know, "everyone uses them" but speak to an AC engineer (not a designer) and theyll agree. Only the round diffusers should be use. Re: Round plastic diffusers clicking/popping noise 6Jul 01, 2021 6:48 pm They are round diffusers. Accessible Carpentry & Cabinets accessiblecarpentry@gmail.com accessiblecarpentry.com.au https://www.facebook.com/pages/Accessible-Carpentry-Cabinets/583314911709039 Re: Round plastic diffusers clicking/popping noise 8Jul 01, 2021 7:05 pm Exactly what I was trying to help the OP work out. Accessible Carpentry & Cabinets accessiblecarpentry@gmail.com accessiblecarpentry.com.au https://www.facebook.com/pages/Accessible-Carpentry-Cabinets/583314911709039 Re: Round plastic diffusers clicking/popping noise 9Jul 02, 2021 9:21 am Thanks for the info all. What I meant by the disk portion of the diffuser is the part that you can easily remove by rotating it (because it is screwed in the middle). Once I removed disks for some of the diffusers, such as our bedroom, the noise coming from those diffusers largely stopped. Other diffusers that still have the disks installed still make this popping/clicking noise. Sometimes I hear the same noise from the return air grille. Re: Round plastic diffusers clicking/popping noise 10Jul 02, 2021 12:14 pm Does it make the same noise if you run it on cold? Accessible Carpentry & Cabinets accessiblecarpentry@gmail.com accessiblecarpentry.com.au https://www.facebook.com/pages/Accessible-Carpentry-Cabinets/583314911709039 Re: Round plastic diffusers clicking/popping noise 12Jul 02, 2021 2:31 pm You could just set it to blow air, neither hot or cold. Essentially you want to work out if it's making the noise due to air movement/volume or because of expansion and contraction due to temperature. Does the noise eventually slow down and stop once the system has been on for a while or is it just a consistent noise while the system is on. If it was expansion due to heat you'd expect it to be most prominent when it starts up and then slow down and stop once everything is up to temperature. Accessible Carpentry & Cabinets accessiblecarpentry@gmail.com accessiblecarpentry.com.au https://www.facebook.com/pages/Accessible-Carpentry-Cabinets/583314911709039 Re: Round plastic diffusers clicking/popping noise 13Jul 02, 2021 3:07 pm Yeah, once the temperature reaches the desired level (e.g., 23 in the "main zone) and the blowing of the hot air essentially stops, the noise goes away, but then if it starts again or if you turn the system off, it makes those noises again. I think this confirms the contraction possibility. Not sure why the air grille plastic also makes such noises. Contraction as well? I'll try the fan mode and see what happens. Re: Round plastic diffusers clicking/popping noise 14Sep 04, 2021 6:15 pm I have this issue as well from these Round Diffusers i purchased from metalflex, Maybe it is the actual Grill itself causing the problem. Will have to try and swap one out with a different brand such as Polyaire Ain't that the truth! 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