Why is My AC Making a Weird Noise?
A loud buzzing.
A high-pitched whistle.
A relentless rattling.
Your air conditioner is talking to you. And it’s saying, “help.” When a weird sound comes out of your air conditioner, it’s usually not a great sign. Buzzing, whistling, hissing, rattling, grinding, popping – any one of these sounds may be indicative of a problem that’s causing your system to run less efficiently. When these strange sounds are ignored, whatever’s causing them may eventually result in serious damage to your air conditioner. Don’t drown out the noise. Discover what’s causing your air conditioner to be so talkative and learn how to help it.
What Your Air Conditioner Is Trying to Tell You
Different noises mean different issues. Since you likely don’t speak air conditioner, here’s a guide to help you understand what the strange sound coming from your AC means.
Buzzing or Humming: These sounds can be caused by a variety of issues, ranging from loose parts, to motor problems. If you hear unusually loud buzzing or humming sounds coming from your air conditioner, have a professional AC technician check things out.
Rattling: A rattling sound may mean something as easy to fix as loose bolts, screws or fasteners. Detect where the sound is coming from and see what needs to be tightened up. If you hear a rattling sound coming from your outdoor condenser unit, it may mean debris, such as leaves or sticks, has fallen into it. After turning off the unit, you can easily remove the fan grill to remove whatever is caught inside. If none of these things seem to be the cause, the rattling sounds may be coming from your compressor. This happens with age and is a usually one of the first signs that a replacement is in order.
Whistling or Hissing: If your air conditioner is hissing at you, don’t assume your ducts have been invaded by a colony of snakes just yet. However, it is likely that the problem lies in your ductwork. Hissing or whistling sounds are commonly caused by leaks in your ducts that allow refrigerant to escape. Have a professional AC technician inspect your ducts to be safe.
Grinding: The compressor or the fan belt may cause a grinding noise coming from your air conditioner. The compressor may be worn down, causing its parts to make harsh grinding sounds as they compress refrigerant. This is usually a sign it’s time to replace the compressor. It is also possible that the sound is coming from your fan belt, which may mean it has come loose. If the fan belt is loose, it could damage other parts of your air conditioner.
When To Call an AC Professional
If your air conditioner is trying to tell you there’s something wrong with it, don’t ignore it! Although your system may continue to work properly when making a strange noise, whatever’s causing the sound could end up causing more damage if it’s allowed to persist.
Fortunately, the professionals at Sea Coast Air Conditioning are well versed in the language of air conditioners. We’ll have the issue fixed and your AC running smoothly and quietly in no time. Call or schedule an appointment online today!