Why Is My AC Too Loud?

Your air conditioner should do its job without causing too much noise. But if it does, the unit is telling you there’s something wrong inside that needs immediate attention.

This problem can happen to anyone who is running an AC, especially if you have an older model. Knowing what’s behind the excessive noise is critical in getting the system back in shape.

Four Seasons Air Specialists is your reliable HVAC company in Mahtomedi MN. We have been helping homeowners fix noisy air conditioners for the past four decades.

Overview

The sound that your AC creates depends on several factors, including its age, location, and quality of maintenance. If you have a fairly new unit, you should have an air conditioner that works silently in the background. However, if you have a cooling system that is about ten years old or so, it can be louder than a newer system. Also, a well-maintained AC is likely to have normal sound levels while it’s running.

While it’s common for an HVAC system to produce some operational sounds, if it becomes too loud and causes distraction, it is possible that there is something wrong with your unit.

Here are some of the most common noises you can hear from an air conditioner:

Banging

Manufacturers design air conditioners to work with minimal sound, but if your unit creates a loud, banging sound, there’s probably serious damage within the system.

One of the reasons for your unit to make a banging sound is a loose part in the compressor. Whether it’s the crankshaft, a connecting rod, or a piston pin, this one needs immediate attention. For the most part, such damages require a compressor replacement but there are times when a simple tightening will do the trick.

Another possible cause for your AC to produce banging sounds is an unstable blower. The blower fan is located in the indoor air handler and is responsible for taking the warm air from your home and sending cooled air to your home through the ducts. This is an essential part of the cooling process. If this part is faulty, it will create a banging noise from within the air handler. This problem needs professional expertise, so be sure to call your local AC professional to get it fixed.

If you hear a banging noise from your AC, turn it off right away and call a qualified technician to inspect your system. While the problem may seem simple, but neglecting it can result in further damage to your air conditioner.

Squealing

Unless your air conditioner is a trained operatic singer, it is not supposed to make a high-pitched note. The problem is usually caused by either the belt connecting the motor to the blower has slipped or the bearings on your condenser fan’s motor. You can also hear this sound from a car that needs a belt replacement.

This is a problem commonly encountered by homeowners who have an older air conditioner that still employs a belt system. If this is your case, you’ll hear the squealing sound both inside and outside of your home. If you want this problem fixed, you should have an AC technician to replace the belt for you.

On the other hand, if you have a newer unit without a belt system, but you are still hearing the same sound, it could be that the bearings on your condenser fan’s motor are faulty. New AC units are equipped with direct-drive motors without belts, which pull air across the condenser coils in your compressor. A squealing sound from a newer air conditioner requires the help of an HVAC professional as the motor may need to be replaced.

Hissing

A hissing sound coming off of an air conditioner should not be taken lightly. This could indicate that there’s a leakage somewhere in the system, and most of the time, it’s the refrigerant that is released from your AC’s copper lines. When the system loses refrigerant charge, especially if your unit has R22 refrigerant, it harms the environment and causes the coils to freeze. An AC that produces a hissing sound should be inspected by an AC technician to detect and seal off the leaks as well as fill the system with the right refrigerant charge.

Call the AC Experts

Should you need help fixing a noisy AC, be sure to call Four Seasons Air Specialists, your top Grant AC repair company.