Is Your AC Making Strange Noises?

Are you hearing strange noises coming from your AC unit?

Modern air conditioners are impressively quiet. Today’s high-efficiency ACs employ sound dampening technology and two-stage compressors capable of keeping noise levels below 50 decibels. If you keep your AC well maintained, you should never be bothered by strange noises.

If, however, you hear any unusual sounds coming from the AC, it is important to take immediate action. The first step is to identify the type of sound coming from the unit. Once you identify the sound, it becomes easier to pinpoint the problem.

5 Strange Noises to be Aware of

Banging
Banging noises could be a sign that there is a broken or loose part inside the air conditioning compressor. Parts of the compressor that could break or become loose include the connecting rod, the piston pin, and the crankshaft. Banging sounds could also be an indicator that your indoor blower is unbalanced.

Clicking
Clicking of electrical components at start-up and shut-down is normal and shouldn’t be a cause for alarm. Endless clicking sounds even when the AC is already up and running, however, is not typical. It could be a sign of a failing thermostat or a defective control. It could also be a sign of trouble in one of the many electrical components in the AC.

Clanking
Clanking noises are another sign of loose or out-of-balance parts. Either the parts inside the compressor have become loose or failed, or the compressor itself might have become loose. It could also be both. The sound could also be an indication that the indoor blower or outdoor fan blades are unbalanced and colliding with other parts.

Buzzing
Buzzing noises can indicate several issues including; loose parts, a loose outdoor motor that is about to fail, debris in either the indoor or outdoor unit, fan blades that are loose or out of balance, a condenser coil that needs changing, or the copper lines running from outside to inside the unit could be rubbing against one another.

Squeaking and squealing
Squeals, squeaks, and rattling noises are most commonly a sign of a problem with the duct system. Indoor blowers and outdoor fan motors may also squeal loudly when they are old and need replacement. The blower wheel, compressor, and housing can also squeal if they malfunction. If possible, diagnose the air conditioning system properly to identify the exact source of the sound.

If your AC unit is making strange noises, call Evergreen Plumbing and Heating at (401) 256-5688 and have it checked out by one of our licensed AC repair technicians.

We’re here to serve you 24 hours a day and we never charge extra of nights or weekends. And we stand behind every repair we do with a full 1-year parts and labor guarantee.

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