Are you dealing with unusual A/C noises that you’ve never heard before or have been getting progressively louder? Odd sounds coming from your air conditioner can range from simply annoying to damaging to your system and pocketbook. Run through these troubleshooting tips to pinpoint the problem and address it before the noise becomes seriously loud and expensive.
Indoor A/C Noises
Air conditioner noise in your home may be coming from the ductwork, air handler or indoor pump associated with your cooling system. Here are some steps to take when your A/C starts making too much noise:
- Consider a duct vibration dampener that can keep your ductwork from making a lot of noise when your A/C is running. Those annoying vibrations could come with the territory when your unit is working perfectly fine, but that doesn’t mean that you have to live with the noise.
- A hissing noise may signal a refrigerant leak. If you suspect that refrigerant is leaking from your A/C evaporator coil or lines, call a professional. Only someone certified to work with refrigerant should address issues with these potentially toxic chemicals. Plus, an A/C with not enough refrigerant won’t operate efficiently and eventually will break down.
- Squealing or grinding noises could be coming from the motor for your inside air handler. Visually inspect the motor and belt to detect if that’s where the noise is coming from.
Dealing With a Noisy Outdoor Condensing Unit/Compressor
Maybe the problem isn’t inside. If the outside unit of your central A/C is making a racket, it can bother both occupants of your home and the neighbors. There are a few solutions that will work in this situation:
- Outside A/C units that have been used for years tend to make more noise than newer units. However, if your unit begins making unusual noises you haven’t heard before, contact your HVAC professional. Your best bet when you have an condenser/compressor that’s more than a decade old may be to purchase a new system. New models are specifically designed to produce less noise.
- A/C manufacturers make noise-dampening blankets that are made to be placed over the outdoor compressor/condenser unit.
Professional Help for A/C Noises
Are you still dealing with the headache of those constant A/C noises? It’s time to get some professional help. Please contact us at Hansberger Refrigeration and Electric Company for help from a family-owned company that has been providing high-quality, affordable services in the Yuma area since 1952.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Yuma, Arizona about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about A/C noises and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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