Why Does My AC Keep Making Weird Sounds?

Why Does My AC Keep Making Weird Sounds?

July 13, 2018

In a perfect world, your AC unit would be purring like a well-oiled engine, humming along while you and your family stay cool and comfortable all day long. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. It’s a complicated piece of machinery, and as such it has a lot of things inside that work together to make it work. Most of the time it works as intended, but if even one part goes out of whack, you’ll usually be able to notice thanks to the funky sounds the AC will start making in response.

And because there are a lot of parts there, the range of sounds a wonky AC can make is vast. One thing could mean you need to make an imminent repair or risk replacing the unit as a whole, while others can indicate a minor issue you can afford to wait out. Acree Plumbing, Air & Electric has compiled a list of some of the most frequent sounds you might hear your AC making, and what can cause them. No matter what your AC concern is, let us handle it! Our technicians are the most reliable in the Tampa area, and we’ll get everything back in tip-top shape before you know it.

Squealing

When you start to hear what sounds like a constant, high-pitched noise like this, it usually means at least one component is nearing the end of its life, often either the blower fan or the compressor. Since a part is getting ready to go out for good, the only solution is to have it replaced.

Buzzing

The AC buzzing isn’t always the most critical of problems. The culprit typically comes down to one of a few things

• The AC could’ve been jarred loose, and the resulting balancing issue can shift how the parts work together.
• Leaking refrigerant can build up and lead to freezing, which means the AC will have to work harder than normal to overcompensate, causing a buzzing noise.

Rattling

If a part in the AC unit is malfunctioning or missing, you can hear a rattling noise. Sometimes it can be a serious problem, but other times it might be because some piece of debris got caught in it.

Whistling

A lower-than-normal level of return airflow leads to a whistling noise as the blower works harder to funnel air through a restricted opening. It can also be because a leak has sprung in the refrigerant or your ductwork, so the best option is to call an AC professional.

Bubbling

When your AC’s refrigerant line is clogged with air bubbles, you might be able to hear a resulting bubbling sound coming from it. Again, having someone who has a lot of AC know-how will save you time and money instead of waiting until the whole thing breaks.

This isn’t a comprehensive list of every sound an AC can make – there are far more than what we’ve explained here. If you’ve gotten your hands dirty with your unit before and can sufficiently identify the problem, then you’ll know what to do to fix it. However, for everyone else, calling Acree Plumbing, Air & Electric would be the best bet. Our technicians will have you back on your feet in no time. Give us a call at 800-937-6736 and schedule an appointment today!

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