July 6, 2021
In July, you’re used to hearing loud noises! But they probably shouldn’t be coming from your AC unit. Let us help you out, so your AC system doesn’t go out with a bang!
First off, you might be wondering if any types of noises coming from your AC are okay. Your unit will make noise when turned on or off. (An occasional clicking sound of the compressor turning on and off.) If there are other, out-of-the-ordinary noises, something might be wrong! Here are some examples of noises you shouldn’t hear from your unit:
A loud banging noise is the hallmark of July fireworks! In some cases, you can also hear this type of noise coming from your HVAC system! This is caused by loose AC parts – especially the fan. We don’t recommend trying to re-tighten the fan screws by yourself, though, because it could be the case that one of the fan blades is loose or a rod or piston. It’s always wise to give us a call to ensure that A) we can re-tighten the loose part and B) the loose part is what’s causing the issue in the first place.
If you hear an electrical humming or buzzing sound, there may be problems with either the compressor or contactor. The AC compressor is the part that pumps refrigerant around the system and lets off heat. The contactor is a big electrical switch that controls power to the compressor motor.
The humming noise may also be caused by a faulty blower fan, which circulates air through your home’s vents with help from an electric-powered fan blade on one end of it.
No matter the reason, a strange electrical humming coming from your system isn’t a good sign – in fact, if you hear this noise, your air probably already isn’t working.
Grinding noises in your AC may be a sign of a problem with the compressor or contactor. It’s not as serious as an electrical humming, but it should still be addressed! This type of noise is caused by parts rubbing together and could lead to more significant problems over time. For example, it could lead to a hole being worn in the compressor’s blades, permanently damaging them.
If your air conditioner makes a knocking or tapping sound (similar to the lapping of waves), it could mean that there is water leaking inside of the unit itself and needs to be serviced right away. If you don’t address the water leak, it could become a major problem requiring you to replace your entire unit! Similarly, a whooshing noise in your AC means there is too much coolant inside the system and may be caused by a faulty cooling coil that isn’t using the coolant properly and needs changing.
Overall, the possible sounds a faulty AC could be making have as much variety as the sounds of fireworks! So many types of noises… and the pros at Parker & Sons can fix all of them!
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