Most American households own at least two air conditioners. However, not all owners are aware of the noises and sounds that may come from these appliances.
Even though most air conditioners today are very quiet, they are often overused. When overused, air conditioners may produce different noises when turned on. These noises and sounds should not be attributed to just the regular operating sounds of the machine. Knowing possible noises from your air conditioner can help you determine if your air conditioner needs repair or replacement.
6 Common Noises Coming from Your Air Conditioner
Here are the most common noises from your air conditioner and what they usually mean.
- Clanking
Clanking is a signal that a part of your air conditioner is loose or out of place. Parts of the air conditioning unit may have been moved to another area or some parts have failed.
This may also mean that the compressor is loose. A loose compressor warrants replacement. Clanking may also mean that the blowers of the unit could be broken and hitting other parts.
- Banging
A banging noise from your air conditioner often means that there’s a broken part. It could also mean that there are loose parts such as connecting bars or rods, pins, or shafts inside the compressor. Aside from that, it could also be that the indoor blower of the air conditioning unit is broken.
- Buzzing
This noise is often common among air conditioning units. It could mean loose parts, problems with the fan or the blower, air filter getting dirty, leaks in the refrigerant, foreign materials inside the unit, and others.
- Humming
A humming noise from your air conditioner may signal something that needs to be repaired in your air-con unit. This could be caused by problems in wiring, loose parts that need to put back, or an air filter that’s obstructing the blowers, among others.
- Rattling
A rattling noise from your air conditioner may mean that your unit is starting to get broken. This could be caused by faulty parts inside the air conditioner or some foreign materials that are inside.
The electrical connections inside your unit may also be broken. A rattling noise can also be caused by loose screws that need to be put back.
- Whistling
A whistle from your air conditioner indicates a more serious problem. If you hear noises like this, quickly turn off the air conditioner. Whistling sounds are usually caused by leaks in refrigerant and often destroys most of the air conditioning unit. Call a professional to repair or replace your air conditioner if this happens.
Not all noise mean trouble. But if you aren’t sure about what you are hearing, it’s best to consult an air conditioning company for your appliance’s and home’s safety.
Written by APM Construction Services, a construction and home maintenance company that is the best choice for heating and cooling in Columbia, MO.