Oh, no. Is that noise coming from your air conditioner? It never made that sound before! What could it possibly mean?
If you don’t speak air conditioner, you won’t know what it’s telling you. What you need is a phrase book, like tourists take to distant countries, that will help you decode some of the messages your air conditioner might send. And we’ve got one right here for you!
First, Keep in Mind
Your air conditioner will always make some noise. However, the noise it makes should be pretty subtle. And most importantly, it should be consistent. Any noise that strikes you as odd should be investigated by a professional. A surprising sound is often the first sign of an issue developing with your air conditioner. Beware of these signs of AC trouble to avoid a major breakdown or costly repairs. Catching a problem early can be the difference between a quick repair and a major breakdown, expensive repair, component replacement, or even an early demise for your air conditioner.
Bang or Thump
Does it sound like someone put a baseball in the clothes dryer? This is definitely a sound to take seriously. With luck, it could be as simple as a broken fan blade. But you should address it with urgency because of the risk that it indicates a compressor problem. The crankshaft or connecting rod could be broken. Since the compressor is both the most critical and the most costly component, any indication that it’s facing an issue means you should get AC repair in Cypress, TX immediately.
Buzz or Rattle
This sound could mean a lot of things, and some of them you can check yourself. Is the air filter dirty? Wash and dry it, or replace it with a new one if it’s disposable. Still buzzing? Try taking a look at the coils on the outdoor unit. Perhaps they’re clogged with autumn leaves or other debris, or caked with dust and dirt. Spray them with the hose to rinse that away. Don’t use a high-pressure setting, because you don’t want to cause any damage. If the strange sound continues after that, it’s time to call for an appointment. It could be that a loose component needs to be tightened.
Squeal or Screech
Don’t delay! This is likely the belt slipping out of position or tearing. This is a common issue, often caught in the early stages during maintenance. The repair here is simple. However, it is critical that it gets dealt with promptly. If the belt comes completely free and crashes into another component, your problem might suddenly get much worse. Late-season AC maintenance can help you catch these issues before they escalate.
Hiss or Whistle
This is the sound of something being pushed or pulled through a small opening. It might be air being drawn through a crack in your ductwork. This is not a terribly urgent problem but does lead to inefficiency and sometimes dust being pulled in with your air.
However, it could also be the sound of refrigerant leaking through a crack in the coils. This will rapidly make your air conditioner less effective and less efficient, and can even lead to compressor problems. Either ductwork or AC coils can be resealed, and refrigerant can be refilled.
If you’re hearing a sound we didn’t mention, don’t hesitate to reach out! We’d be happy to help you translate whatever your air conditioner is saying. In the meantime, check out more details on whether your AC should be making that noise to better understand what your system might be telling you.
Reach out to Cool Care Heating and Air Conditioning, The Best Care for Your Air.