Why is my Air Conditioner making a Weird Noise?
It is typical for an air conditioning unit to make noise. However, unusually loud or weird noises may be a cause for concern.
An air conditioner making noise may not just be business as usual and requires your attention as soon as possible.
Don’t wait around for things to get worse. Something as simple as a dirty air filter can domino into something worse and require more time, energy, and money to rectify.
In Utah, where it’s often dryer and hotter, air conditioners have more difficulty keeping up. The harder it is for your air conditioner to meet your thermostat’s standards, the more each component kicks its cogs into high gear.
While some indicate difficulties, it isn’t always time to call an AC technician. Some sounds only indicate your air conditioner’s hard work in satisfying your needs.
What Are The Most Common Air Conditioner Noises?
If your air conditioner is making noise, don’t panic. There’s no need just to jump the gun and call a professional.
Air conditioning units make noise all the time, especially under intense Utahn heat. The harder your AC unit works, the louder it gets.
Don’t Worry About It
A subtle humming noise or the typical AC clicking noise we hear isn’t necessarily disconcerting.
You can expect this from your cooling system when you set the thermostat to its lowest possible setting during a day that’s hotter than usual.
Set It and Forget It
These types of sounds you can bypass without worrying. They may also die down after successfully lowering indoor temperatures.
Unless
These noises aren’t the ones you should be on the lookout for, as they won’t be detrimental to your unit.
However, there are you must call in.
When to Worry About a Noisy Air Conditioner?
Subtle noises that go away after a little while aren’t a threat, but that high-pitched squealing noise your AC unit is making might be.
When typical AC noises become loud buzzing noises or other strange noises, it’s time to call a professional. Don’t underestimate any unusual noise your air conditioner makes.
An electrical problem may be on the horizon, and it might cost you more than a pretty penny.
A Cause for Concern
Strange noises may lead to harmful and costly hazards. Don’t attempt to investigate or remedy things by yourself.
Air conditioner noises might stem from poorly maintained electrical components and other issues from improper installation.
At best, loose wiring can damage your air conditioning system beyond repair. At its worst, it may cause you serious bodily injury.
Still, you should know a little about what may be causing the air conditioning noises you’re hearing.
What Causes a Noisy Air Conditioning Unit?
There are many potential reasons behind a loud air conditioner. An AC making noise is one of the best indicators of underlying problems.
Suppose you were to listen intently, especially where the noise is coming from, you might be able to call in a specialist for a specific problem and bypass the initial inspection and its relevant fees.
Quick Fix
A simple routine cleaning may rectify some issues, while some require dismantling and repairs. Loose parts and refrigerant leaks, for example, necessitate a certain set of expertise and materials to sort out.
If you correctly discern the noise, you might be better able to specify the issues you are having with your unit. When you establish your concerns, you can save more time and resources in correcting them.
Tight Fix
If you wait until Sandy’s cooling season from June to September to have your unit checked out, you will corner yourself into a tight fix.
You shouldn’t wait for the hottest days of the year anywhere in America to inspect and maintain your air conditioner. You risk a dog day summer if your air conditioner gives out and fails to cool your indoor space.
Call a Professional When You Hear These Unusual Noises
Let’s talk about certain noises, their potential causes, and what they may entail for your air conditioner.
Loud Noises
Call it in if it becomes too loud or overbearing, whatever the noise may be. The heat might not be the only thing sending your AC unit into overdrive.
Some of its components might be overcompensating for another or might be having a more challenging time keeping up. Understandably the harder it tries, the louder it gets doing so.
It’s time to come clean
A dirty air filter that isn’t dealt with correctly will only get dirtier, making it harder for air circulation, and causing louder noises. It shouldn’t cost you too much time or energy to remedy if it’s as simple as getting your air filter cleaned out or replaced.
Try to figure out what these noises sound like before you phone your local AC repairman.
Squealing Noise
If you hear loud noises that sound like a high-pitched squealing noise, you might be dealing with issues related to your AC unit’s outdoor fan motor or indoor blower motors.
A fan motor helms operations among its duties and is the most susceptible to burning out.
A fan motor and other more significant elements comprise your outdoor unit, otherwise called a condenser.
Fan Motors
The condenser fan motor transmits power to fan blades, which manage the air exchange outdoors and indoors.
The noise your air conditioner is making might be due to a worn-out fan motor having trouble powering your outside unit. Listen closer to your indoor unit if the AC noise isn’t coming from the outdoor condenser unit.
If both your indoor and outdoor AC unit are projecting a squealing noise, something is likely disrupting its transmission.
When you call a professional, let them know you might be having issues with your fan motor so they can bring the necessary equipment for its repair and maintenance.
Banging Noise
Loose parts from a blower motor or fan belt might be louder than small parts clanking around the unit.
The banging noise will most likely come from your outside unit. It might be louder than a rattling noise or clanking noise which indicates loose screws or diminutive particles getting caught in its motors.
Its condenser fan blades garner energy from outdoor fan motors to gather outdoor air for filtering and conditioning before passing it onto its indoor components.
Issues may also stem from your indoor blower fan. The indoor blower fan is responsible for releasing air indoors and making more noise when dislodged.
If you hear a rattling noise, the blower fan belt might be dealing with loose fan blades, or another loose or broken part may have gotten caught within its blades.
Its rattling is due to different components being hit and moved around by its motions. Issues with your fan belt include it slipping out of place and causing a rattling noise. Technicians can quickly remedy it by dismantling the unit and reattaching it to its proper place.
If the entire unit is jumping in its place, producing a banging noise, turn it off immediately. Don’t attempt to touch, dismantle, or inspect the unit if you aren’t a licensed technician.
Screeching Noise / Hissing Noise
We typically mistake one for the other, but anything that sounds like air pressure released at a higher pitch is typically due to built-up pressure.
Anytime your compressor carries high internal pressure, it will find avenues for its release. It isn’t always concerning as it will carry out the release on its own and what you are hearing is its process.
However, the screeching noise or hissing sound should only last between ten to fifteen seconds. A screeching noise that lasts any longer might be a problem.
Listen for a hissing noise from the inside or outside AC unit. If the hissing noise persists in a sustained fashion or on and off, it might be prime time for your outdoor unit to get its routine decompression.
If your AC system is congested with enough high-pressure air to produce a prolonged hissing noise, it may hinder its internal operations. The air pressure contained within the unit may be high enough to dislodge components and disrupt airflow.
Pulsating Noise
A rhythmic pulsating noise may be due to improper or insufficient insulation. Buzzing noises may accompany the pulsating noise.
The functions that comprise a heating and cooling system include various operations. Its intensity can result in vibrations. They may resonate within the unit and be heard on the outside without sufficient insulation.
An air conditioning system requires insulation for managing air pressure and overall stability. Its improper installation, flimsy connections, and long-term UV exposure can damage its insulation.
The HVAC system has various lines connecting each component with the other. When they falter under the typical pressures air conditioners face, they project a pulsating noise that only gets louder over time.
You need to call an HVAC technician immediately when you hear this noise.
Buzzing Noise
A buzzing noise is alarming and rightfully so, as it might involve issues with its segments that conduct electricity.
If you hear a buzzing sound, check if it’s coming from your outdoor unit or not.
If it’s coming from your condenser, the issues might be related to its fan motors. When the condenser fan motors continue to power fan blades that are stuck or have loose parts hindering their movement, a loud buzzing accompanied by violent vibrations will be evident.
If it involves loose parts, copper lines inside your indoor unit rubbing against panels and other wires might be the issue.
An AC noise you can hear from your indoor air conditioner can also be due to frozen components.
Yes, an air conditioner is built to manage contrasting temperatures. Still, without proper maintenance, contaminants and mismanaged air pressure can freeze or char its processors.
Buzzing noises are typical indications of frozen segments within the AC system, especially when there’s a refrigerant leak somewhere.
Clicking Noise
A clicking noise is typical in every air conditioner starting up and shutting down. However, constant clicking isn’t regular.
You can investigate further if clicking persists through its entire cooling cycle. Listen intently for intervals in time and volume.
Issues can either be with its fan blades getting bent out of shape and improperly relaying transmission. It’s an issue that isn’t typical for an air conditioning unit installed correctly.
Don’t wait for these problems to come around. Ensure you only entrust all installations, repairs, and maintenance to a reliable technician.
Faulty installations can lead to grave problems down the line and cost you immensely.
Bubbling Noise
A bubbling noise that might sometimes mimic a whistling sound is often due to a refrigerant leak.
If there is a refrigerant leak, there’s no way you can or should manage that on your own. Any abrasions in coils and compartments can disrupt its entire circulation process.
Even pinholes are enough to cause air leaks and refrigerant leaks. An air conditioner emits bubbling sounds when refrigerant fluid flows or collects in areas it shouldn’t.
When you phone your concerns to a local repairman, chances are they will tell you to call a licensed expert. Not only do these things require a particular set of expertise, but they will call for replacement parts and equipment only specialists carry.
Grinding Noise
It can begin with a humming sound, which may be non-threatening. However, if you listen closely, it might be subtle grinding noises.
It will get louder over time and become incessant as it gets worse. One loose part can domino into more, and the more materials knocking around inside, the harsher the grinding gets.
Parts of your AC coming loose come as no surprise. All the processing it takes to cool spaces in areas as hot as Utah will result in faster wear and tear, especially with older air conditioners.
You must keep up with routine checks and maintenance.
We Can Help You With That!
Our technicians at One Stop Heating and Air Conditioning are equipped with the right expertise and tools to help you with your cooling installations and repairs.
We’re There for You 24/7
The most trusted experts in Sandy, Utah, are available to you day and night.
We can identify the weird noises coming from your air conditioner and help you remedy them efficiently.
We don’t only inspect, maintain, and repair problems.
We Install and Replace Air Conditioners in Residential Homes and Commercial Establishments Throughout Sandy, Utah
Our installation team will help you figure out the most cost-effective solutions to your cooling needs.
Whether your space is due for an upgrade or an extensive maintenance service, you can count on us to help you through it.
If you need a reliable, transparent, well-equipped partner, you can count on us.
