5 common reasons why your air conditioner is noisy and how to fix them

You might be unsure whether an odd sound coming from the air conditioner is something to be concerned about or not. Different noises indicate different issues, and these problems might range from basic dust and debris that you can remove at home to mechanical faults that call for the assistance of a skilled professional.

Here are the 5 common AC sounds, what they mean, and what you can do about them:

5 Reasons for a Noisy Air Conditioner

Reason #1 Rattling or Clunking Noise Indicates Loose Parts

Something being loose inside the air conditioner is frequently indicated by a rattling sound. This could be a result of damaged or loose fan blades, broken pieces, or significant amounts of debris getting inside the air conditioner. One of the frequent noises made by older air conditioners when their parts begin to wear out is this one.

To locate the issue, you must open the air conditioner. Sometimes the dirt is only near the air filter, which is readily removed with a vacuum. You may need to check for broken parts if the AC noise continues even after you’ve cleaned the filter.

Reason #2 Humming Noise Indicates Dirty Coils

If your air conditioner is making humming noises instead of rattling noises, the issue is most likely dirty coils. When dirt wraps around the evaporator coil, it can lead to loud noises that often sound like a low humming sound. However, if the humming noise is accompanied by a faulty compressor, then the issue may be with the electrical components instead.

If you notice your aircon compressor coils or evaporator coils are covered in dust, you can blast the debris away with a can of compressed air, or use a toothbrush to gently scrub away the dust. If your AC unit continues to make a humming sound, then you may need to have the air conditioner cleaned.

Reason #3 High Pitched Squealing Noise Indicates Refrigerant Leak

A squealing noise or a hissing noise indicates a refrigerant leak. Shut your air conditioning unit down immediately, and unplug the appliance to prevent any accidents. You will need to have an experienced HVAC technician to inspect your air conditioner for any possible gas leaks, as doing this yourself is extremely dangerous. Avoid using the air conditioner in the meantime.

Reason #4 Whirring Noise Indicates Stuck Debris

A whirring noise, unlike a rattling or banging noise, indicates debris stuck inside the air conditioner. In the indoor unit, this is often a soft piece of debris such as a sliver of paper, as the thin sheet creates a whistling or whirring noise when air circulates around it. In the outdoor unit, the debris is most likely a fallen leaf, straw, or feathers from wild birds.

However, a loud noise that sounds more like helicopter blades indicates a problem with the fan blades or fan motor. When these parts of your air conditioner start to wear down, they create loud, whirring noises. Turn the air conditioner off immediately to prevent any further damage.

Reason #5 Buzzing Noise Indicates an Issue with the Outdoor Unit

A loud, low, buzzing noise coming from your outdoor AC unit may indicate one of many issues. You may have loose screws, broken parts, or debris rattling inside the outdoor air conditioner. This is a common occurrence as the outdoor fan takes in random pieces of debris from small stones to fallen leaves.

A buzzing noise may also indicate problems with the outdoor fan motor. At the first indication of a buzzing sound, check your outdoor condenser unit for any dirt that may be trapped inside. Clean the outdoor unit with a hose and a long brush, or use compressed air to blast the debris away. If your outdoor unit is clear, but continues to make noise, consult with a technician.

5 Tips to Prevent a Noisy Air Conditioner

Tip #1 Clean Your Filter

Cleaning your air filter prevents dust and debris from building up in your air conditioning system. When the filter is faulty, debris easily gets into the unit, causing that rattling, whirring, or buzzing air conditioner sound. Clean the filter with some soap and water, then let it air dry before placing it back into your unit.

Tip#2 Clean Your Outdoor Unit

Your HVAC system is composed of two parts: an indoor blower fan, and and outdoor condenser unit. While we regularly clean the indoor unit, we often overlook maintenance for the outdoor unit, which requires frequent cleaning as it is exposed to the outdoors. Give the unit a good spray with the hose to remove the dust and debris.

Tip #3 Schedule Regular Maintenance

Aircon maintenance is the key to upkeep your air conditioner. Air conditioning units should undergo general cleaning once every six months, and a chemical wash once a year to maintain good condition. Our technicians at Elegance Aircon will be more than happy to help you maintain your air conditioner for years to come without any noise problems or issues!

Tip #4 Avoid Banging or Hitting Your Air Conditioner

You may have heard that giving the air conditioner a good bang on its exterior would help stop the noise. Never whack your air conditioner, especially when it is showing signs of damage as doing so will further damage the units, and possibly misalign internal parts. Take your unit to one of our Elegance Aircon technicians instead for a proper fix.

Tip #5 Go for Repairs Immediately

Once you have an inkling of an issue with your air conditioner, take the unit for repairs immediately. This will prevent further damage, and the high costs of repairs in the future. Our Elegance Aircon technicians are well-versed in diagnosing and fixing different AC unit problems from window-type air conditioners, to central air conditioner models.

Conclusion

When your air conditioner makes loud noises, it’s usually a sign that something isn’t working correctly. Once you’ve identified the type of noise, you should inspect your air conditioner for any visible signs of damage. Finally, it’s essential to have your air conditioner serviced regularly. An experienced technician can scan your system and ensure it runs efficiently.

Cre: eleganceair