How to Tell If Your AC Is Sounding Like Itself This Summer

Your air conditioner has many components, including a number of sound-producing moving parts. Therefore, it makes a variety of sounds during normal operation. However, certain sounds may indicate that it is malfunctioning and requires professional attention. Let’s explore the different AC sounds that your system can make to help you figure out when to ignore them and when to take prompt action.

Sounds Your AC Should Be Making

These AC sounds shouldn’t be a cause for concern:

• Squeal — When your air conditioning system first starts, it may squeal.
• Clicking — You’ll hear clicking sounds when turning the unit on and off.
• Whooshing — It’s normal to hear whooshing sounds while air is moving through the vents.
• Soft humming — As your unit runs normally, it will produce a soft, humming noise.

Sounds Your AC Shouldn’t Be Making

Some of the sounds that could indicate a failing system include:

• Continuous squealing — This may signal motor bearing problems or a bad belt.
• Repeated clicking — If your control panel or outdoor compressor keeps making clicking sounds, that could be a result of a relay that’s defective.
• Hissing — This is usually a sign of air escaping your system. It could be due to leaky ductwork or a filter that’s wrongly sized or hasn’t been set correctly.
• Loud humming noises — These could be caused by a failing starting capacitor or a bad motor. If the humming sounds like clanking, then parts of your air conditioner, such as the fan blades, blower motor fan, or pipes may be loose and rubbing together.
• Rattling — A loose component may also produce a rattling sound. The louder the rattling, the more severe the problem may be. If the noise is from the outside unit, large debris like a twig may have gotten inside.
• Banging sounds — These usually indicate that something has disconnected or broken.

Whenever you hear abnormal AC sounds, it’s best to call an HVAC contractor. Having these sounds investigated at the earliest opportunity will help prevent costly damage. If you need your air conditioning system repaired, serviced, or upgraded in the Lorain area, contact Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning. Given that we have more than 50 years of combined experience, no AC job is too big or too small for us.