Noisy AC? Common Causes and What to Do

Having a noisy air conditioner is a nuisance, especially if it is necessary to run your cooling system while you’re sleeping. But even if you’re simply spending time in your house during the day, listening to the sound of a noisy air conditioner can be frustrating. Moreover, a loud air conditioner might be a sign of bigger problems. If you’re looking for a way to get the most out of your air conditioner, have it last the longest, and make sure that it stays as quiet as possible, consider some of these reasons why your air conditioner might be loud and what you can do about the noise.

The Age of the Model Plays a Role

Depending on its age, an air conditioner can be loud even if it is working perfectly normally. Older air conditioner models can be noisier than those that are manufactured today. This is partly due to the fact that older models weren’t necessarily designed with quietness in mind. However, as an AC ages, internal parts also begin to wear down, which can lead to excessive noise even when the parts are operating just fine. If you have an aging AC that drives you crazy with excessive noise, you may want to consider replacing it with a new model. With a new AC, you can look forward to years of efficient and quiet operation.

Compressor Problems

Mechanical problems can cause your air conditioner to make strange sounds. For instance, if your air conditioner has a compressor that’s going bad, this could cause a banging noise. Typically, this will happen when the air conditioner parts become unhinged due to years of wear and tear. Because of the amount of time that it takes to disassemble this part of the air conditioner, it is often better to simply replace the entire unit, especially if it is an older AC.

Bad Fan Motor

Along with banging, screeching is another common AC noise. Typically, screeching is caused by damaged fan motors, which are located near the outside condenser unit. Otherwise, there might be a broken fan inside the compressor of the outside condenser unit. Screeching can also come from a broken fan on the AC unit inside your home. If you hear a screeching or squealing noise, it is a good idea to call an AC company to come and inspect the entire cooling system for broken parts.

A Bad Contactor Relay Switch

A defective contactor relay switch can cause humming sounds. The contactor relay switch is the part that is responsible for starting the outside condenser unit when the thermostat sends the signal. If you hear a loud humming sound, you should have this taken care of as soon as possible so that you don’t have to worry about your air conditioner being damaged even more.

Several Causes of Buzzing Sounds

Buzzing sounds can be caused by a variety of things. For instance, you might have a refrigerant leak, or you could have fan blades that aren’t balanced on the outdoor condenser unit. Additionally, you might have an obstruction in the copper lines connected to the air conditioner, or you might have dirty condenser coils or loose components. Whenever you hear buzzing sounds, you shouldn’t ignore them because taking care of these types of problems early can help you avoid bigger and more expensive problems later.

Faulty Thermostat

Clicking sounds can be a sign of a faulty thermostat. However, it’s important to note that clicking can also be completely normal. Usually, you’ll hear this at the beginning or end of your cooling cycles, which isn’t cause for alarm. If you hear excessive clicking, or the clicking is accompanied by problems with the AC operating correctly, you will want to schedule an appointment with an experienced AC company like IT Landes.

Damaged Electrical Contactor

If you hear a rattling noise, you might have a damaged electrical contractor. It’s important to get to the root of this issue because electrical problems can definitely lead to further damage. With rattling noises, it’s also possible that you simply have some twigs or leaves stuck in your fan blade on the outside unit.

Problems in the Air Ducts

If you notice hissing sounds, you might have an air duct problem. For instance, you might have a leak from a crack or hole in your air duct. One of the frustrations of this type of problem is that it causes you to lose conditioned air, which means that you will pay more to run your AC while having less cool air delivered to your living spaces. Getting damaged air ducts fixed can help improve your comfort and save you some money.

Blockage in the Drain Line

Bubbling sounds could be a sign of a blockage or hole in the drain line, which is located mostly in the house. The drain line gets rid of the moisture that the air conditioner pulls out of the air, so if it’s clogged, you might hear the water making noises. If you notice any of these signs, you’ll want to have a professional HVAC technician look at your unit to find any problems before they become even bigger.

Ways to Reduce AC Noise

If your air conditioner is making loud noises that aren’t associated with mechanical problems, you might simply have a loud air conditioner. Fortunately, there are some things that you can do before you have an air conditioner installed to reduce the noise that you experience inside of your home; there are also some things that you can do to quiet the noise if your air conditioner is already installed.

When you’re choosing where to put a new air conditioner, consider a space that is away from the living room and bedroom windows and other areas where noise may be bothersome. It’s also wise to keep the outside AC unit away from brick walls, which can cause an echo effect. Additionally, it’s important to ask about the noise level of the air conditioners that you’re considering purchasing. In general, cheaper models are also louder, so think about investing in a high-quality model.

If your AC is already installed, you can look into getting a sound blanket, which is something that’s specifically designed to muffle noises when in operation. You can find out from the manufacturer of your air conditioner which blankets are designed for your model. Finally, you should consider getting a fence installed around the AC unit. It’s best to choose a fence made of wood, which is able to absorb sound better than harder materials.

Special Steps You Can Use for the Attic and Duct Work

There are also some special steps that you can take if you’re concerned about the noise coming from an attic unit. For instance, if you’re hearing vibrations every time the unit starts up, you should invest in a sound-absorbing mat. You can also enclose the vents in sound-absorbing materials if the sound is coming from the ceilings or walls.

Whenever you’re working to make your home more comfortable, the noise levels of the equipment around your property is a major concern. When you know that your air conditioner is working well, you can use some of the tips outlined above to muffle the noise or distance it from you. The best way to ensure that your AC operates quietly, however, is by only trusting trained technicians with your AC repairs, maintenance, and installations. AT IT Landes, we offer a full range of AC services in and around Harleysville. We also offer heating, plumbing, and air quality services. Contact us today to find out more about how we can serve you.