Why Is My Air Conditioner So Loud?

Air conditioning was one of the most important inventions of the last 120 years. It has not only allowed people to live in relative comfort, but it’s undoubtedly saved lives as well. And though they have been vastly improved in the last century, air conditioners are still far from perfect.

Due to it being a piece of machinery that consumes energy, your air conditioner is going to make some noise, usually in the form of light humming. But if it makes certain noises or is excessively loud, you should contact an HVAC contractor and schedule some HVAC maintenance. Here are some sounds that could spell trouble for your air conditioner.

Rattling

If you hear this noise, the source is usually going to be either outdoor debris, like rocks, sticks or leaves, or loose parts, like screws or bolts. It could also be a misaligned fan or loose panels. You’ll want to listen closely to the frequency of the rattling. If it’s light and intermittent, it’s probably fine, but if it’s loud and continuous, or you hear metal-on-metal, then you should call a professional.

Hissing

A hissing sound is a dead giveaway that you likely have a leak in your air conditioner’s refrigerant. A leak like this can lead to inefficiency because it ruins your air conditioner’s closed-loop heating and cooling system. In addition to that, the chemicals that you can hear leaking out are not only bad for the environment but can be harmful to children and pets too. It would be wise to call an HVAC contractor for this issue immediately.

Squeaking

This noise is more common in older air-conditioning units, but hearing it signals that your AC’s fan belt is on its last legs. If your unit’s fan belt is frayed, damaged, worn or off the track, you may hear a squeaking noise. A professional will be able to realign the belt or replace it, but this problem can be avoided by performing yearly, preventative HVAC maintenance.

Grinding

A grinding sound emanating from your air conditioner is commonly associated with the fan motors. This noise indicates a problem with the fan motors that could be bearings that need to be replaced. An air-conditioning contractor should be able to diagnose and remedy this problem.

Popping

Believe it or not, the ducts in your HVAC system actually expand and contract when you turn the system on and off, and this can result in a harmless popping noise, so it’s possible that there’s no cause for concern. However, if you haven’t had your HVAC system serviced in a while, a popping sound could mean there’s a crack or hole in your home’s well-worn system.

Whistling

Hearing a whistling sound usually means that there’s an issue with your ducts. They are likely designed improperly, and this can cause air pressure to build up inside the ducts. This is not only bad for the machinery in your HVAC system, but could become a safety hazard as well. Call a technician right away if you hear whistling.

Call for an air conditioning checkup today

Now that you know some of the various sounds that your air conditioner shouldn’t be making, give us a call at Kenny’s Air Conditioning & Heating Services, Inc. Our HVAC contractors are well-versed in HVAC maintenance, and their goal is to make sure you and your family are comfortable and safe in your home when trying to beat the heat this summer.

Categorised in: AC Repair Service