Air conditioners nowadays are quieter than ever. It is now incorporated with sound-dampening technology to minimize the noise it makes. So if you here some unusual noises coming from your air conditioner while you’re normally using it, don’t ignore them, as it could indicate some mild to serious problems.
Ignoring the noises you hear from your AC unit can turn minor issues into the major, as these mysterious noises can mean that it is needing some tune-up to costly repairs or worst, replacement of the whole unit. The sooner you find and resolve your AC unit problems, the better.
Here are some common noises your AC unit could make and what they may indicate:
Banging
Banging is surely a sign of a loosely-attached or broken part; it’s either a connecting rod, piston pin, or crankshaft, inside the air conditioning compressor. It could also indicate that your indoor blower is unbalanced. A banging sound may also indicate that your compressor needs replacement.
Clanking
Clanking is another sound that might indicate a loose or unbalanced part. The parts inside the unit have likely failed, and the compressor might become loose, signaling that it may need replacement. This noise may also mean that the indoor blower and the outer fans and its blades are unbalanced and maybe hitting other parts. Ignoring this may cause bigger problems.
Clicking
The clicking sound of your electrical components during start-ups and shutdowns are completely normal. But if the clicking sound persists, it may signal a bigger problem. It could either be a sign of a defective control or a problematic thermostat. In general, it could be any electrical component in your unit. It is vital to address this problem quickly because it can spark bigger problems in the future.
Buzzing
A buzzing sound can mean a lot of things. It could either be caused by loose parts that vibrate as the unit runs, debris inside or outside of the unit, a loose or failing outdoor fan, or loose or unbalanced blades. It could also be coming from misplaced copper wires, untidy condenser coil or the air filter needs replacement. In some cases, it could indicate that the blower is out of balance or it could be from refrigerant leaking.
Squealing
Squeals, squeaks, and rattles are usually coming from blowers and fans. They are usually transmitting these sounds when they are running bad. The blower wheel and housing will also have this noise when it’s malfunctioning. However, this noise is normal during start-ups. Try to identify if this noise was something normal or something new.
Humming
A humming sound generally isn’t serious, but it still signals that something inside your air conditioner is off. Loose parts and refrigerant piping can cause vibration and, if left unchecked, can lead to a more serious maintenance issue. Sometimes humming or buzzing noises point to electrical problems. If the compressor hums and refuses to start, there may be an issue with the motor, though loose wiring could trigger this noise, too.
If you hear something unusual from your AC unit, turn it off before some thorough inspection. If you can’t do it on your own, it’s better to call for diagnostic services. Repairing your AC unit may cost you a bunch, but it’s always the best thing to do to save you from future problems. I hope you learned something that will help you from your AC unit struggles.