Why is my Air Conditioner making loud noises?

When the summer heat descends upon Toronto, homeowners just want to relax in cool, air-conditioned homes. What happens when the air conditioner, the source of your comfort, starts making strange noises? It’s not uncommon for an air conditioner to make different sounds. What matters is the exact type of sound. A mild to moderate humming sound from your AC’s motor is normal, especially if you have an older system. However, if you hear loud buzzing noises coming from your air conditioner, it often means that the AC has an electrical issue. Electrical issues are dangerous, and you should only have an experienced HVAC contractor to handle air conditioner installation and repair in Toronto. Noises from your air conditioner could be due to problems in the fan motor, circuit breaker, or loose wiring.

Some reasons why your Air Conditioner is making loud noises?

• Buzzing

  A buzzing sound from your AC could mean that the compressor has malfunctioned. It could also mean that the electrical voltage flowing through the air conditioner is not at the recommended amperage. Electrical issues with the contractors and the relays could also make the AC produce a buzzing sound. As long as the buzzing sound is loud enough to become a distraction, there’s definitely something wrong with your AC system. Other causes of buzzing noise include missing or damaged isolation feet, loose parts, or a frozen AC system. If you hear a buzzing sound from your AC, you should turn it off and contact a repair professional immediately.

• Humming

  A humming sound from your air conditioner is not that serious. However, it might still be a sign that something is off. In most cases, humming sounds originate from the fan, and all you have to do is clean it. Refrigerant piping and lose parts could also cause a humming sound. You shouldn’t ignore this sound because if left unchecked, a more serious maintenance issue might result. Worn-out components, bent fan blades, or a failing motor could be causing the sound. If the humming sound is accompanied by a buzzing sound, your AC could be experiencing electrical problems. You might have an issue with the motor if the compressor hums and won’t start; loose wiring could also trigger the sound.

• Banging

  A banging noise in your AC could mean several things. In most cases, it is a sure sign that there is a broken or loose part in the air conditioner. For instance, the piston pin, connecting rod, crankshaft inside the air conditioning compressor might be loose or broken. An off-balance indoor blower could also be causing the banging sound. A banging noise could be a sign that you need to replace the compressor. Some of the common compressor issues that may call for a compressor replacement include a motor that won’t start, an overheating compressor, a unit that turns on and off frequently, or a compressor that doesn’t start or keeps failing.

• Clicking

  It’s normal for the electrical components to click at the start-up or the shut-down of the air conditioner. This is a normal and expected part of the system operation. However, constant or ongoing clicking is not normal and is often a source of concern. An ongoing clicking sound could be a sign of a failing thermostat or a defective control. An air conditioning unit contains many electrical components. It’s important to ensure that you pay attention to the potential electrical issues and ensure that you address them before they get out of hand. Ignoring the clicking sounds could lead to more extensive electrical issues that will cost you much more.

• Clanking

  If the indoor blower or the outdoor fan is unbalanced, you might notice a metallic clanking sound. Clanking may signal that there is an out-of-balance or loose component in the AC unit. The compressor might have become loose, and the parts inside the sealed AC unit might have failed. The clanking sound could also mean that the outdoor fan or the indoor blower and the blades are out of balance and hitting other AC components. If you ignore these seemingly minor issues, the issues could only worsen and create even bigger problems. You should consider Air Maker repair services because you probably need a new compressor.

• Rattling

  If your air conditioner is starting to deteriorate and some parts have become loose, it might produce a rattling or chattering sound. A rattling sound could also be due to twigs, leaves, dirt, or debris that have clogged the AC system. The electrical contractor in your AC system could also be making the rattling; ignoring this sound could lead to the damage of other electrical components. The fan is also another culprit that rattles when it’s loose. Your first step should be to check the unit’s casing for any loose screws or bolts. You should also change the indoor air filter and clean the condenser coils.

• Squealing

  You can’t miss a high-pitch squealing sound coming from your air conditioner. Just like with the other noises an AC may produce, a light version of squealing noise is normal. However, a high squealing or a sudden squealing that just occurred is not normal. The most common cause of squealing is a bad belt inside the fan. When the fan belt wears out and slips, it produces a squealing sound; in this case, you will need to replace the fan belt. Worn-out motor bearings could also cause a squealing sound. Worn-out bearings are common in modern AC units where a direct drive motor has replaced the belt-driven fan. If the noise is coming from the outdoor unit, it could be caused by a motor malfunction in the compressor or the fan.

• Hissing

  You might notice that whenever you turn on your air conditioner, it produces a loud hissing sound that lasts between 10 and 15 minutes and then stops. The most common cause of the hissing sound is pressure build-up in the compressor, which is hazardous. You should switch off the system and contact our repair technician. At times, as the coolant works its way through the AC system, it might produce some intermittent hissing. However, the hisses caused by the coolant are short and regular, and you are probably used to them. If your AC has a light hissing that started recently, it could mean there is a valve leak. As the leak worsens, the AC will sound like a horn instrument; you will mainly notice this sound when powering down your AC unit.

• Whistling

  You should clean or replace the air filter when your AC system starts whistling. Especially if you notice that your air conditioner has also stopped blowing cold air, a clogged filter could be causing the whistling sound. Cleaning a clogged filter is a simple AC maintenance procedure that you can DIY. If filter cleaning or replacement doesn’t help, your HVAC ducts might be at fault. The ductwork might have developed leaks or cracks, allowing air to pass and whistle through. A whistling sound might also occur if the ductwork is not compatible with the air conditioning unit. If you do not understand the exact cause of whistling, you should contact a repair technician.

• Bubbling

  What could make your AC produce a bubbling or gurgling sound when it’s running? A gurgling sound usually indicates that there is a problem with the refrigerant lines. There could be some air trapped in the liquid coolant, which is common if the lines are inadequately sealed. You should call a technician to check the AC unit and identify the source of the gurgling sound. The sound could also be due to the condensate bubbling as it passes from the drain line or a refrigerant leak. Typically, it is safe to continue operating the AC system even when it’s making a bubbling noise, but you should definitely not ignore the noise.

How to Avoid Future Problems with Air Conditioner?

Regular maintenance is the only sure way to avoid future problems with your AC system.  Servicing your AC system regularly will help it run efficiently and extend its operational life. Dirty condenser coils, clogged air filters, and other problems mean that your AC has to work much harder to do its job. An inefficient AC system is not only prone to damage but also consumes higher energy. Through regular maintenance, you will lower the overall repair costs because AC problems are identified before they progress. Most repairs can be managed or even avoided through regular AC maintenance and servicing. Immediately you notice a strange noise coming from your AC. You should contact a technician from Air Makers. Our experts will identify all the issues and recommend the necessary repairs. Contact us today if you have any issues with your AC system. For many years, we have provided reliable HVAC services in the Greater Toronto Area.

Air Makers are here to help

It can be terrible if your air conditioner doesn’t work the way it should, especially when you need it the most. At Air Makers, we’ve got you covered if you need a tune-up or in-depth repairs. When you call us to service or repair your AC system, we will check all the damaged and worn-down parts and provide a viable solution. We will also clean components like filters and the condenser to extend the life of the AC and eliminate the need to keep replacing its components. Proper AC maintenance and repair not only extends the life of the AC unit but also ensures that everyone in your home is breathing cleaner air.