As a homeowner, you may be wondering why your air conditioner is so loud and just what you can do about it. If it’s a new noise you’ve just recently observed, it’s especially important that you get to the bottom of what’s going on. While some noise is okay, there are certain sounds to be on the lookout for. The sooner you can uncover the sound and what’s causing it, the more likely you won’t run into unnecessary problems down the line. Today we’ll go over certain noises and what they may mean.
Why Is My Air Conditioner So Loud?
Noises your AC may be making
1. Banging
If the noise you’re experiencing is a banging, you may have a broken or detached part on your hands. Attics and more explains that “it might be a piston pin, a crankshaft, a connecting rod, or any number of other internal components that make up the internal compressor that has snapped or disconnected, or there is a poorly balanced internal blower in play.” If this is the case, it is likely that your compressor will need to be replaced.
2. Buzzing
The sound of buzzing can be anything from a tiny issue to a pretty serious one. Therefore, it’s important to address it the minute you catch it. It could mean anything from loose parts, a debris blockage, the blower is imbalanced, or there’s a refrigerant leak.
3. Rattling
Rattling, on the other hand, may just be caused by leaves and branches. In other cases, it can also be a sign of electrical contractor issues or loosening parts inside the compressor. One thing you’ll want to check first if you hear rattling is that the bolts and screws are tight. You may also want to do some cleaning and change your air filter.
4. Squealing and screaming
If squealing is the sound you’re hearing, this may indicate that your motor may be degrading. It may also point to a malfunctioning housing or blower wheel. Although squealing is normal to some degree, you may want to keep an eye out if it sounds a little louder than normal. Screaming, on the other hand, needs to be addressed immediately. If you’re hearing a high-pitched noise, you’ll need to call a professional ASAP. Refrigerant leaks may be the reason behind this noise. These leaks are highly damaging to your AC unit and even hazardous to your own health. It may also mean over-pressurization of the internal compressor.
5. Hissing
Hissing noises are another indication that you may have a refrigerant leak on your hands. Advanced Air explains that “refrigerant is part of a closed-loop system and cycles between your indoor unit to your outdoor unit. The refrigerant absorbs the warmth from the air inside your home, carries that warmth outside, and then disperses it into the outdoor air.” If you suspect that you may have a refrigerant leak, you may also notice warmer air exiting the vents. As a result, this can lead to higher energy bills, or an over-exhausted air conditioning unit working overtime.
6. Clicking and clanking
If clicking is frequent and persistent, you may have a failing thermostat caused by electrical issues. These types of issues can be dangerous. Therefore, it’s imperative that you address it immediately. If clanking is present, there may be a loose or imbalanced part. It’s possible that a repair or replacement may be in your near future. These parts that are out of place may be hitting other internal units and will continue to worsen if not dealt with.
7. Pulsating
Pulsating may not mean anything; however, there are cases where it does. A normal pulsating should be hardly noticeable. If this is not the case, it may mean you have a loose panel or loose motor or fan blades. Again, these are problems that need to be addressed as soon as possible.
Deciphering the noises
Whether your AC is banging, buzzing, rattling, squealing, screaming, hissing, clicking, clanking, or pulsating, it’s important to understand why your air conditioner is so loud. If you suspect that it’s not just a minor issue, make sure you call a professional before matters become worse.
Additional Reading: Common Air Conditioner Problems
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