Why Is My Air Conditioner Making A Noise?
Hearing odd noises when your air conditioner is on? There’s a strong probability there’s something wrong with your AC. If you don’t fix it, it could lead to extensive—and expensive—troubles later. We’re going to help you understand what’s going on with your air conditioner and what you can do to change it.
8 Common Air Conditioning Noises
- Gurgling – Gurgling usually indicates a complication with your refrigerant line. If you can’t determine where the noise is originating from, that’s alright. A professional can help find out where this noise is occurring.
- Crackling – Crackling could be due to debris in the unit or aging ductwork. Debris in the outdoor unit will create a noise outside your house. Old ductwork can create noise inside your house.
- Hissing – Hissing sounds coming from your AC can be caused by a leaky refrigerant line, an internal valve leak or the compressor.
- Buzzing – Buzzing is probably an electrical issue.
- Clicking – Clicking can mean you have a loose part or that the fan is misaligned.
- Pulsating – Pulsating can be due to a loose part.
- Loud Noise – A loud noise from your outside unit can mean an issue with your compressor, damper, fan or air handler.
- Humming – Humming can begin with fan motor issues or a busted relay switch. Read through our humming noise guide for more information.
You can find more information about prevalent air conditioning problems on energy.gov
Should I keep operating my air conditioner when it’s making a noise?
There are some cases where you can continue to run your AC, but you do so at your own risk. It’s hard to answer this question without examining your system.
Usually, we recommend shutting down the unit off and calling a professional.
When should I do something about the noise?
We recommend calling a professional as soon as you suspect there’s something wrong with your air conditioner. While AC repairs can be stressful and an unexpected cost, it’s best to get problems fixed right away. Contacting a professional could help reduce future expenses and keep your system running longer.
Not sure if your air conditioner is making any of these noises? Please schedule online for a free, in-home consultation.
