Air conditioning systems have evolved over the years. Initially, these heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems were large and noisy units. However, with advancements in technology, these systems have been improved to a level where an unobservant person might not notice their presence in a room. Nonetheless, you might be asking yourself “why is my air conditioner so loud?” If your air conditioner is making one or several different loud noises, this might be an indicator of several issues. You should not panic, but rather take action because sometimes how soon you solve the issue, might determine how much the solution shall cost you. In this article, we shall take a look at the different types of noises ACs make, their possible causes, and their remedies.
Read on and get to know what the different types of noises indicate.
- Slamming or thumping
- Humming
- Rattling or flustering
- Clicking
- Whizzing or buzzing
- Shrilling
- Jangling or clanking
- Screeching
Type of AC Noises and Their Cause
1.
A slamming loud noise is usually an indication that there are loosely attached or hanging parts inside the compressor. Most commonly, a piston pin, a connecting rod, or a crankshaft might be moving randomly within the compressor due to loose attachment. Secondly, the thumping noise might be an indication that your indoor blower is unbalanced causing friction within the AC unit. In most cases, this type of notice indicates that the compressor is faulty and needs replacement.
2.
If your AC is producing a humming sound, then you should worry less. However, whereas a humming sound might not be directly linked to an existing problem, it is an indication that something in your air conditioner is off and needs to be checked. If left unattended for long, the problem might escalate to a more serious one. Electric faults like loose wiring might produce flake which brings out the humming sound. Secondly, if your air conditioner’s compressor is humming and doesn’t start, then the motor might be faulty.
3.
A flustering or chattering nose is a sign of clogging of your air conditioner with debris like leaves and tinny twigs that were sucked in through the ducts. If clogging is the issue then consider cleaning the condenser coils and change the air filters. However, there are other possible culprits if the problem persists after cleaning. If the fun is loose, it will rattle when moving. Check the screws holding the fun and tighten any that are loose. Adjust any blade that has been misaligned. The electric conductor might also produce these chattering noises. If left unattended, this might cause damages to the compressor.
4.
Before we proceed, please note that the clicking of your air conditioner’s electric components when turning on or shutting down is normal. Therefore this should not be a cause for alarm. However continuous clicking should be quickly addressed because it has nothing to do with the normal system operations. In most cases, this is an indication that either the thermostat is failing or the control is defective.
5.
A whizzing sound is generally an indication of misalignment, loosely attached components, or clogging due to debris accumulations in the air filters. Consider checking the fun to ensure all the blades are properly aligned. You can also check the air filters and coils for debris and clean them. The debris might also be colliding with the copper lines within the ducts. In most cases cleaning the outdoor unit and the indoor unit, and then checking for blockages in the ducts should help get rid of the buzzing noise. In some cases, the blower might be going out of balance causing friction in the unit.
6.
The most common culprits are the fun and the blower. When the outdoor motor or the indoor blower has worn off, they begin to make a shrilling noise when the air conditioner is on. Check both the indoor and outdoor units because the duct might be transmitting noise produced by the motor in the outdoor unit. However, it is important to note that some manufacturers have set their units to produce this sound when the unit is turned on. Therefore, make a keen observation on whether it is a normal system operation or a cause for action.
7.
This is an indication that a system component is loosely attached or has been misaligned. In case the compressor has become loose or some components have completely failed, then this might result in a clanking sound. To solve this, you should replace the compressor or locate the failed component within the compressor for replacement. In other cases, when the fan blades are out of balance, they might collide with other system components around them, resulting in this type of noise.
8.
In case your air conditioner is making a screeching or a screaming sound when turned on, then this is a red alert. Immediately turn it off and possibly disconnect it from the power source and call an expert. In most cases, leaks in the refrigerant are the culprit of this problem. If you leave your air conditioner on while making this noise, it might completely damage the unit and further cause serious health problems to those present.
Air conditioners have been developed to enhance comfort in your home or workplace. In this case, any continuous loud and uncomfortable noises from your air conditioner should be quickly addressed. Typically, air conditioning systems are expensive to buy and repair, due to the complex nature of the system. In this regard, if you notice any changes in your unit that are against the norm switch the system off and call a professional for assistance. Avoid attempting to solve your AC problems unless you are an expert.
Lastly, considering the high cost of air conditioning systems, plan for a home warranty plan that covers the appliances installed in your home from technical damages. Many insurance firms offer these solutions at an affordable premium. You can also schedule routine servicing with an expert, to be done at regular intervals.
Also, Read: Heating Pump or AC: Which is Better?
Thank you for talking about how urgent a clicking noise is when you hear it while operating your air conditioning. We’ve been irritated by a noise like this for quite some time now, but we didn’t think it meant anything serious. However, after reading your article, I’ll take some precautions and ask our family to avoid using it until I get an HVAC contractor to have a look at the unit.