Contemporary air conditioners are designed to operate quietly.
These high-efficiency units utilize two-stage variable heat compressor technology and sound reduction measures to keep noise levels under 55 decibels. If you own such a unit, you likely seldom consider its noise levels. That is until the unit begins to sound louder than usual. If this starts occurring, chances are that you will notice and might wonder if something is going wrong with your unit.
If you begin hearing odd, uncharacteristic noises from a normally quiet unit, it’s best not to ignore them.
The problem could be something that a very basic tune-up can address, or it might require major repairs. Sometimes, the cost of the repairs could exceed that of replacing the unit altogether. In either case, ignoring unusual noises is unlikely to produce anything positive for your air conditioner. The longer you let the loud noises continue without addressing them, the higher your risk of costly repairs becomes. To that end, it’s best to address these AC issues without wasting time.
The sounds you might hear from your air conditioner unit may vary. Here are some common noises your air conditioner may make and their probable causes.
BANGING
If you begin to hear banging from inside your unit, it is most likely due to a broken or detached part. It might be a piston pin, a crankshaft, a connecting rod, or any other internal components that make up the internal compressor that has snapped or disconnected or a poorly balanced internal blower in play. If a component of a compressor has broken, it is almost certain that the compressor will need to be replaced.
BUZZING
One of the toughest noises to diagnose is when the AC unit begins to buzz. This could be due to a relatively minor and simple repair, including changing an air filter to something much more serious. Sometimes buzzing is caused by loose parts inside the unit or the copper lines that run from the outside to the inside of the unit touching something and vibrating off that surface. It could also mean a debris blockage on the outside or inside of the unit, or the condenser coil requires maintenance or cleaning.
More seriously, it could mean that the internal fan blades are not balanced correctly, the unit has loose parts, the blower is imbalanced or failing, or a refrigerant leak. The latter is especially evident if the unit seems to be working but not blowing cold air. If the refrigerant has leaked out, it will need to be refilled, and the source of the leak needs to be patched.
CLANKING
If you hear clanking in your AC unit, chances are there is a part that is not balanced or is loose. This sometimes happens because a particular internal component of the compressor breaks, usually causing the necessity for repair and replacement. If parts are loose, such as the internal fans, it could mean that the out-of-place parts are hitting other internal units.
The longer this is permitted to persist, the worse the problems get. Not only will the loose part incur more damage, but it will also likely send the parts it’s hitting into disrepair.
CLICKING
When the unit starts up or stops, it is normal to hear clicking sounds, but it is atypical to hear them throughout the unit’s standard operation. If the clicking is frequent or perpetual once the unit is turned on, it could be a sign of a failing thermostat or a defective control.
Electrical issues typically cause these. These can lead to far more costly, and even dangerous problems, so it is important to stay on top of addressing clicking noises if they persist.
HUMMING
Normal humming is not indicative of a serious issue in AC units. The humming noise could result from vibrations due to loose refrigerant piping or other parts, which, if not attended to, can exacerbate greater problems. Humming is also sometimes due to electrical issues like loose wiring or a malfunctioning compressor.
PULSATING
Another noise that does not always indicate a problem is when the unit pulsates. Most units have some minor pulsation emanating from them, which is normal. However, this pulsing should be barely audible unless you are listening for it. If an outdoor unit begins to make noises that you can hear inside, some parts are likely to be loose, and others inside the unit may need to be repaired or replaced. These parts can range from something as benign as a panel on the unit coming loose, to loose motor or fan blades, which is a significantly more serious problem.
RATTLING
Rattling inside your unit can sometimes be caused by outdoor debris like leaves and branches getting caught in your system, leading to a clogging issue. However, it can also indicate issues with the electrical contractor or loosening parts inside the compressor. Loose fans also tend to rattle more as they become increasingly detached and imbalanced. If you begin to hear chattering or rattling noises in your unit, your first troubleshooting actions should include checking to ensure that all the bolts and screws in the unit are tight and secure. You should also consider changing your air filter and cleaning your condenser coil.
SQUEALING
When indoor blower motors and outdoor fan motors begin to degrade in terms of efficiency, they exhibit the telltale sign of squealing as the noises travel through the duct systems. Squealing can also be indicative of malfunctioning or damaged housing or blower wheels. Because certain units may inherently squeal to some degree, it’s important to pay attention to the nature of these squeals to distinguish between those that are normal and those that are irregular.
SCREAMING
One noise that calls for an immediate cessation of your AC unit’s use is if you begin to hear a “screaming” or high-pitched whistling noise. At this point, a professional needs to come and inspect the unit, and it should not be used until the problem is addressed. One of the most common reasons for this problem is a refrigerant leak, which, aside from being highly detrimental to your AC unit, can also harm the health of the residents in your home. Another dangerous reason for the screaming sound is the over-pressurization of the internal compressor. In some situations involving this type of problem, the AC unit is equipped with a sensor that will shut the unit off. If this happens, don’t worry. This is a failsafe mechanism included for your safety.
WHIRRING
A whirring sound, reminiscent of the type of noise expected when a helicopter flies overhead, is an indication of several potential problems with the outdoor unit or the indoor blower. Usually, a whirring sound is indicative of bad bearings in the indoor blower, or a faulty fan in either the external or internal AC unit. While it could also be caused by a torn or ripped belt, the usual cause of whirring noises are displaced or loosened fan blades. The helicopter-like noise occurs when the blades are spinning at an angle, out of place, or striking something they shouldn’t be. However, faulty parts are not always to blame.
Sometimes, the whirring noise can be due to a piece of debris being stuck in the outdoor fan or the indoor blower. As it gets caught up in the blades, it creates a helicopter-like sound as well.
WHEN IS IT TIME TO REPLACE A NOISY AIR CONDITIONER?
Older units that begin to become noisy are usually best discarded and replaced.
While repairs are still possible, some problems are just too expensive to address. For instance, older units used R22 refrigerant, which has since been replaced by R410-A in newer units. However, the two are not interchangeable, so older units require their type of refrigerant. The problem is, since it’s far less common these days, it becomes more challenging to find services that still stock and carry R22, and its acquisition ends up being more costly.
As the main functional component of an air conditioning unit, when the compressor becomes deficient, it will likely cost more to replace it than to just invest in a new unit. The newer unit will carry the benefits of being quieter, as well as more energy efficient. You might find that your electric bill drops substantially with a new unit, meaning that over its lifetime, the savings will essentially have the unit pay for itself.
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