12 May Five AC Noises and What They Mean
Clang, clang, clang, went the trolley! Just kidding — it’s your AC. Since today’s air conditioners are the quietest ever, strange noises coming from your unit are rarely a good sign. And you shouldn’t try to argue that the noises don’t bother you, and you don’t need to fix them because minor issues now can turn into bigger problems if they aren’t dealt with. (There’s a life lesson in there, just saying.) Different sounds can mean different issues, so match these AC noises to your problem.
1.Banging
You have a loose or broken part inside the compressor. It could be a connecting rod, a piston pin, crankshaft, or other parts that would need to be repaired, or it could also mean that our compressor needs to be replaced.
2.Clanking
This is another telltale sign that your AC has a loose or missing part. The parts inside your unit or your compressor itself may have come loose or failed. It could also be a sign that the indoor or outdoor blower fans are out of balance and are hitting other parts in the unit. Don’t ignore these issues — they’ll get way worse as time goes on.
3.Clicking
Some clicking when your AC turns on and off is fine, but constant clicking is not a good sign. It could be a sign of a defective control panel or failing thermostat. Since there a lot of electrical parts involved in your unit, pay close attention to clicking sounds.
4.Buzzing
A ton of things could cause your outdoor unit to make buzzing sounds, such as: loose parts, dirty condenser coils or filters, a bad or out-of-balance blower or fan blades, debris in the unit, or leaking refrigerant.
5.Screaming
If your AC sounds like something out of a horror movie, turn it off, and call an HVAC technician right away. Screaming noises can be a sign of a refrigerant leak, which can damage your unit and pose health risks to your family.
If you’re in need of air conditioning repairs, you need Wahl Family Heating, Cooling, and Plumbing. Wahl Family Heating, Cooling, and Plumbing. We provide precision cooling tune-ups to keeping your AC working well and your energy bills low. For help with your cooling units, call us at (412) 265-2662.