6 Strange Noises Your Air Conditioner Might Make & What Usually They Mean

All air conditioners produce some degree of noise as a natural byproduct of their operation. And while some of those noises are totally normal, others can indicate potentially serious a/c unit problems.

How can you tell the difference between normal noises and not-so-normal sounds? In this blog, the a/c cleaning and maintenance specialists at Dust Doctors in Little Canada, MN share which noises you should have checked out by a professional.

Clicking Sounds

Infrequent and short-lived clicking is almost never something to worry about. Constant clicking, on the other hand, may indicate a failing thermostat or a defective control unit.

Since there are dozens of electrical components inside the unit, it can be tough to determine exactly what’s generating a clicking noise without a comprehensive inspection. Scheduling an a/c cleaning and maintenance appointment will give you an opportunity to discuss the issue with an a/c repair expert who can locate the offending part.

Clanking Noises

Clanking noises are a surefire sign that your a/c unit has a loose or broken part. Often, clanking indicates that the compressor somehow wiggled loose or that one of the interior components failed. The outdoor fan or indoor blower blades can also move out of balance, and when they do, they frequently produce clanking sounds while the unit operates.

Banging or Thumping Noises

If something is banging around while your air conditioner operates, there’s definitely a problem. If you hear the sound throughout your house, it might indicate a section of loose ductwork. If you only hear the noise near the a/c unit, chances are there’s a broken part inside the compressor an unbalanced blower motor.

Regardless of what you think might be causing the sound, you should schedule an inspection at your earliest convenience. Minor problems can quickly give way to serious issues when they’re left undiagnosed and unrepaired.

Continual Humming or Buzzing Noise

A humming air conditioner usually isn’t cause for serious concern; however, that depends on the volume of the humming and whether any other noises accompany it. Typically, humming indicates a small vibration somewhere in the unit, which may be caused by the refrigerant piping or even a small, loose part.

Occasionally, humming noises can also indicate an electrical problem, such as loose wiring or a deteriorating motor. When you schedule your routine spring a/c cleaning and maintenance appointment, ask your technician to inspect for what might be causing the sound.

Rattling or Chattering Noises

Air conditioners that make rattling or chattering noises may be suffering from a few potential problems. But since these sounds have several probable culprits, it’s tough to know why they’re occurring without a professional inspection. Here’s what might be causing your a/c unit to make this type of racket:

●        Leaves or other outdoor debris clogging the unit and moving around

●        Loose nuts or bolts on an aging unit

●        A conductor that’s going bad

●        Improperly installed or loose ductwork (if you hear the noise throughout your house)

Squealing or Screeching Sounds

If you have an outdoor air conditioner unit that makes squealing noises, that racket may indicate the blower motor is going bad. The blower housing and wheel can also squeal pretty loudly when they malfunction, so that may also be an issue.

For some air conditioners, squealing noises are fairly normal upon start-up. If you just cranked up your unit for the first time in spring, squealing may not be something to worry about, especially if it’s short lived.

Regardless, if your system is making screeching or squealing noises, you should have it inspected by a qualified professional. Schedule a routine a/c cleaning and maintenance appointment, and your technician can alert you to any problems he finds. 

Need A/C Cleaning Services in the Twin Cities? Contact Dust Doctors

Need to make sure your air conditioning system is prepared to handle the summer heat? Let our team at Dust Doctors help you out! We specialize in comprehensive a/c cleaning services and duct cleaning services designed to help your HVAC system perform its best.

To get started with service or learn more about how we can help you, feel free to request a free quote here or give our Little Canada, MN office a call today at 651-319-9777. We look forward to serving you!