Are you looking for information about why your air conditioner is making noises? An AC unit can make noise just because it is a large machine with many moving parts. However, if your air conditioner is noisier than usual, it can be a symptom of a serious problem. Diagnosing and troubleshooting the problem will likely take more than one online blog article can provide. So, while below is a list of possible causes, it is best to contact an air conditioning repair professional.

Whatever you do, don’t ignore noises coming from your air conditioning unit. While noise is a sign that something is wrong, if caught early, it can be an easy and inexpensive fixed. Ignoring the noise can cause added damage, and turn something close to a tune-up into a costly repair or even a need for replacement. The sooner you have your AC inspected, the better it will be.

There is one more thing to add before we provide the list of potential causes. Some online articles will tell you that you can save some money by troubleshooting these issues yourself. While there is some AC troubleshooting a homeowner can perform, and we share those tips within our blog, a loud noise demands an inspection, even if it ends up being an easy fix.

Reasons for Loud AC Noises

1. Screaming – If you hear a screaming or hissing sound from your outside AC unit, sometimes with the unit turning off and back on, it is likely an issue with your compressor. This can be a dangerous situation because of a high-pressure buildup. Turn the unit off immediately and call for a repair.

2. Banging – A banging or knocking sound from your outdoor unit is likely caused by something obstructing the fan or the fan becoming loose and wobbling. Again, continuing to run your AC can cause additional damage. Turn the AC off and call a professional for help.

3. Gurgling – If you hear gurgling or bubbling coming from your air conditioner, you may have a hard time finding where the sound is exactly coming from. Nonetheless, it is likely either the condensate drain line or a refrigerant leak. It likely won’t hurt anything to run the unit, but you will need a pro to fix it.

4. Screeching – If you hear a metal on metal screeching from the outside unit, the fan motor bearings are shot and you will need a new motor. It is not advised that you continue to run the unit, but you may be ok if you call an AC repair professional quickly.

5. Squealing – An intermittent but regular squealing sound from your fan is a misaligned belt. You can continue to use your air conditioner, but the belt will eventually fail. Therefore, don’t wait too long before getting it fixed.

6. Clicking – If there is a clicking noise and your air conditioner won’t kick on, you have an electrical problem which could be any one of a number of things. Your air conditioner will not work until it is fixed.

Do you have questions? What haven’t we covered yet that is important to you? If you would like to talk about a noise coming from your air conditioner, or a related topic, please contact us.