A Comprehensive Guide to Understanding the Strange Noises Your AC Makes

If you have to add subtitles to your television because you can’t hear Criminal Minds over the ruckus made by your air conditioning unit, it’s time to do something about the noise. However, diagnosing the cause of your air conditioner’s strange sounds requires HVAC expertise and strong deciphering skills. Luckily, we have both. Here is your comprehensive guide to your loquacious air conditioning unit.

The Dictionary of Strange AC Noises

Banging or Clanking

If you hear banging or clanking, there are four possible causes: you may have a loose or broken part bouncing around inside the air compressor, you may have an imbalanced indoor blower, you may have a loose air compressor, or you may need a compressor replacement. All four require professional repair or installation. So, schedule your air conditioning repair today! If left unresolved, you can end up with more costly repairs and damage—leading to an entire unit replacement. Prevent replacement with repair, and resolve your air conditioning unit woes quickly and correctly with Weathermakers Air Conditioning & Heating, Inc.

Buzzing

There are multiple possible reasons your air conditioning unit is buzzing:

1. The air filter needs changing

2. The outdoor motor is malfunctioning

3. The fan blades are loose

4. The condenser coil needs to be cleaned

5. There is debris in the indoor or outdoor unit

If you hear buzzing, we recommend checking your air filter first! This is easy and does not require professional testing. However, if you have recently changed your air filter, the root of the buzzing will be more difficult to repair, and will not be DIY friendly.

Clicking

When your unit is clicking, it is communicating that it is experiencing an electrical issue. This is not something to ignore, as your unit is filled with electrical parts. When one starts to fail, it typically affects the rest, which can cause your thermostat to fail completely. Electrical complications are extremely dangerous and can cause house fires. Contact an HVAC technician to repair your unit before you have an irreparable problem on your hands.

Grinding

Grinding = something suspicious with your fan motors. Schedule repair immediately, your air conditioning unit will most likely fail soon.

Hissing or Whistling

First, you need to locate where your hissing is coming from. It may be originating from your ductwork. If it is indeed coming from your air conditioning unit, you probably have a refrigerant leak. When it comes to refrigerant leaks, under no circumstance should you attempt a DIY repair. Refrigerant is poisonous and poses serious threats to your health. Leave the refrigerant replacement to a professional HVAC technician.

Popping

If you notice popping noises, the issue actually lies within your air ducts, not your central air conditioning unit. Ductwork, like all of your heating and cooling technologies, requires maintenance. Schedule air duct cleaning and the popping will go away!

Rattling

If you are disturbed by a constant rattling, something has most likely fallen into your outdoor air conditioning unit, and it is trying to tell you its space has been invaded. If you have cleaned your unit recently, the rattling may be caused by your compressor motor. Older motors will rattle and need to be replaced.

We will restore peace and quiet in your home. Contact Weathermakers Air Conditioning & Heating, Inc., at (727) 513-5882, for your Air Conditioning repair.