Strange noises coming from your air conditioner isn’t just an inconvenience. Strange noise could be a sign something is seriously wrong with your AC. While not all noises are a cause for concern, here are three sounds your air conditioning system should never make.
7 Noises Your Air Conditioner Should Never Make
If your AC system is making any of these noises, don’t hesitate to acknowledge them. These are the seven noises your AC should never make.
1. Hissing Noise or Bubbling Noise
Is that a snake or my air conditioner? If your AC is making a hissing noise or a bubbling noise, it may indicate an underlying issue, such as a refrigerant leak.
Refrigerant is necessary for the cooling process and is known to make a hissing noise if it is leaking from somewhere it shouldn’t be. These leaks are a big problem because refrigerant can be dangerous to humans, so if you think you have a refrigerant leak, call a professional sooner rather than later.
Common causes of an AC refrigerant leak include:
- Leaking Schrader Valve
- Rusted Heat Pump Accumulator
- Leaking Indoor/Outdoor AC or Heat Pump Coil
- Damaged Lines
- Rusted Filter Dryer
- Faulty Flare Connections
- Holes in a Capillary Tube
2. AC Rattling Noise
If your air conditioner is making a rattling noise, it may be a sign there is something wrong with the assembly motor or blower.
The rattling noise may mean a small piece of the assembly motor or blower has come loose and is being tossed around the condenser unit outside.
This is a relatively easy fix and something you can do without a professional’s help. Turn off the power supply to your air conditioner and inspect the condenser unit to see if any components have become loose or disconnected.
3. AC High-Pitched Squealing Noise
If you hear a high-pitched squealing noise coming from your air conditioner, it most likely means there is high internal pressure within your system’s compressor portion.
Compressors typically have a sensor that signals the air conditioner to turn off if the pressure reaches a high level. However, the pressure can build up inside the air conditioner’s compressor and reach a dangerous level.
If your AC is making this noise, we suggest turning off your system right away and calling a professional.
4. AC Loud Buzzing or Popping Noise
If a loud buzzing, vibrating, or popping noise is coming from your air conditioning system, it often means you have an electrical issue. Electrical issues can be dangerous and need to be handled by a trusted HVAC technician.
The issue could be tied the circuit breaker, the fan motor, or loose wiring. If it’s the circuit breaker, a common cause is dirty air filter or debris around the AC unit. For the other issues dealing with the fan motor or loose wiring, call your technician for help.
Electrical components that cause buzzing noises include:
- Circuit Breakers: Your AC can affect or shut off your circuit breaker if your system is using more amps than the breaker is designed to withstand.
- AC Condenser Fan Motor
Even if it seems like it would be an easy problem to diagnose, we recommend calling a trained expert to assess your AC. Your unit is a complex system that should be left to trained, experienced technicians.
5. AC Clicking Noise
Is your air conditioning system making repeated clicking noises when your AC unit turns on and off?
This could be a defective contactor or a relay from some other electrical control. Leave electrical issues to a professional.
6. AC Screeching Noise
If you hear a screaming or screeching noise, it may be your air conditioning system. A screeching noise typically means the issue is coming from one of two places – your fan motor or your compressor.
Fan Motor: If the problem is in your fan motor, you will hear a screeching noise the entire time your AC is running. A fan belt may have become loose, or an AC technician will need to replace the fan motor.
Compressor: If you hear the screeching noise only when your AC first kicks on, then the issue is most likely with your compressor. Your compressor may be operating at very high levels of pressure; and when we say very high, we mean dangerously high levels. If this is the case, shut off your AC system immediately and call an HVAC technician. You will need to replace your compressor and sometimes it’s just easier to replace the entire unit. Consult with your technician and check your warranty before you replace the compressor or the entire system.
Regardless of whether your screeching sound is dire or not, a professional should diagnose the problem. So, if you hear a screeching noise, shut your AC off and call an expert.
7. AC Banging Noise
If a thumping noise is coming from your AC, you may need to be more worried. This sound means something is wrong with your blower assembly or motor.
Motor mounts can come loose. Your blower may also be out of alignment. If the sound gets louder when your blower is running, turn off your system. This means something has disconnected or has broken.
Call an HVAC technician.
Additional Ways to Quiet a Loud Air Conditioner
Looking for more ways to quiet your air conditioner? Here are a few things we recommend you try.
Find the Underlying Cause
It’s hard to quiet your noisy air conditioner if you don’t know why it’s noisy in the first place. That’s why we recommend all homeowners dealing with this issue try to find the underlying issue. Is your system making any of the noises above? If so, which one? Narrowing down where the noise is coming from and what type of noise your system is making can help you determine if the noise is caused by an underlying issue.
Install a Mounting Pad
Mounting pads can be placed between the outside unit and the concrete base it sits on, preventing noise from vibration.
Purchase a Sound-Blocking Fence
Sometimes your AC unit is placed too close to a room, causing it to be less than relaxing. A sound-blocking fence installed around your outdoor unit can help defect noise away from your home.
Don’t Skip Maintenance
Routine maintenance checkups with your trusted technician is an easy way to ensure your system is working as it should and not making excess noise.
Call Colman Air for AC Repair
At Colman Air, we work to ensure your home is cool and comfortable year round, which is why we provide quality products and services for your air conditioning system.
If your AC is making any of the noises above, don’t hesitate to give us a call today. One of our trained technicians will be out to your home as soon as possible to diagnose the underlying cause and repair the issue.
If you need repairs or installations, please call us today.
