Why Is Your Air Conditioner Noisy? 7 Common Signs and Possible Causes

Modern energy-efficient central air conditioning systems use motors with two stages or variable speeds that are designed to make little or no noise (below 55 decibels).

A loud and intrusive noise coming from your air conditioner is a sign of a problem inside the air conditioner. These noises frequently indicate that your system needs to be repaired or replaced.

Ignoring your AC’s strange noises can cause minor problems to become expensive ones because they could indicate anything from a simple tune-up to pricey repairs or, in the worst-case scenario, the need to replace the entire unit.

The sooner you can identify the noise’s origin and fix your air conditioner problems, the better. To aid you in determining the source of your system’s problem, these are some common noises that you should never ignore.

1. Banging Noises

The compressor may malfunction if your air conditioner is generating a banging noise. This component is designed to transfer refrigerant to various air conditioner system components to eliminate extra heat from your house.

When your air conditioning system is turned on, you could hear rattling once the components in the compressor become loose. Detachable parts striking the compressor’s outside are the source of this noise.

It may be necessary for you to spend money on a new energy-efficient air conditioner because the compressor is not designed to be easily dismantled.

When you realize that your air conditioner is having a banging sound, you need to call professional help and book their service for aircon repair.

2. Screeching Sounds

A broken fan motor in the outside condenser unit is the most frequent cause of a screeching sound coming from your air conditioner. Your home’s central air conditioning system has a fan that’s intended to remove heat from the refrigerant.

The fan motor may malfunction if your air conditioner is generating this noise. The other cause of this noise may also have happened because of a damaged fan belt.

Deactivate the system as soon as you notice a loud screeching sound in your air conditioner.

3. Humming Noises

A contactor relay switch that is broken may cause your air conditioner to start making humming noises. When it receives a signal from your thermostat, this part is intended to turn on the outdoor condenser unit.

Unfortunately, until this problem is examined by an expert, you won’t be able to turn on your air conditioner. If you do, your central air conditioning system will suffer serious harm as a result and will need costly repairs.

4. Buzzing Sounds

Never overlook the buzzing noise from your air conditioner. This noise could be a sign that the fan blades in your outdoor condenser unit are imbalanced or becoming loose.

Additionally, problems like a broken exterior fan motor, filthy condenser coils, and loose parts may also be the reason why there is a buzzing sound inside your air conditioner.

An obstruction close to the copper wires that are linked to your air conditioner may be the cause of a buzzing sound. It could also happen because there is a very serious problem, which is a refrigerant leak.

5. Rattling Noises

Loose sticks, dirt, or leaves in your outdoor condenser unit may be the cause of the rattling sound.

Disassembling the device and removing these components is the simplest way to solve this problem. Worst case problem, it could also happen because there is a faulty electrical component in your system.

6. Clicking Sounds

Hearing a clicking sound from your air conditioner at the start or end of cooling cycles is not unusual, but hearing it continuously throughout when the machine is turned on -indicates a serious problem.

This kind of noise could be a sign that your thermostat is broken. The clicking sound you hear could be an electrical issue with a relay switch or capacitors in the compressor, or it could be the sound of a malfunctioning thermostat that has to be replaced.

Because there are so many electrical components in air conditioning systems, electrical problems can be challenging to diagnose. It is difficult to remove an old thermostat and replace it, so call a certified technician in your area for assistance and to fix any electrical issues.

7. Hissing Noise

If your air conditioner is hissing, there is probably a refrigerant leak somewhere in the system.

Since the refrigerant is confined inside the closed system under enormous pressure, it hisses as it escapes through holes in the pipe and other places. The hissing sound could also happen because of an early sign of high internal pressure in the compressor.

You must hire a professional who has an EP license to fix a refrigerant leak. To make sure that the air conditioner has enough refrigerant to conduct effective cooling, the leak needs to be fixed and the system needs to be recharged.

Make sure to pay attention to the noises that your air conditioner has, because the unusual sounds that you may hear could indicate serious problems that need repair. If anything, like we mentioned above, happened to your aircon, contact your local technician to solve the problem immediately!