Your AC makes its usual noises, like the sound of air flowing through vents, and maybe a bit of a hum as it kicks on in the middle of the night when there’s no competing sounds. That’s okay, but there are sounds it’s not supposed to make that you really need to know about.
During AC repair in Sarasota, FL , we’ve seen quite a few problems. We’ve been called for noises like you wouldn’t believe, and chief among them are these sounds. If you hear these, it’s time to call for repairs.
Heavy Banging Noises
It sounds like someone is inside your ductwork just banging their fists on it. That’s not a pleasant noise, and what it means for your AC is even worse. This is a sound coming from your compressor, which can happen when something comes loose. It this sound is left alone for too long, it can result in more components knocking around, since your compressor might be vibrating and causing other pieces to loosen nearby. This is a reason to shut down your AC and call for repairs.
Loud Clunky Sounds
Think of metal clunking against metal. That’s what we’re talking about. This is most likely your fan blades causing vibration, and those slowly loosen screws and bolts over time. When the fan blades lose alignment, the edges of them can clang against other nearby components and cause this sound. While it doesn’t sound like the biggest problem, it can lead your fan blades to come off entirely, and that only leads to more damage.
Electrical Buzzing Sounds
Your electrical system shouldn’t be audibly buzzing, especially not the one in your air conditioner. This could be the blower motor beginning to give out on you. The noise doesn’t always come from your vents, but sometimes it can, and the blower motor is one of the last components leading up to your conditioned air coming through the vents.
Loud Metal Screeching Noise
Your air conditioner shouldn’t sound like two pieces of metal rubbing against each other. This happens when two metal components, which are supposed to come into contact with one another, lose lubrication and create friction instead. Your metal parts are lubricated every year during your annual tune-up, but it doesn’t last forever.
This one is a big problem, because you’re hearing tension and pressure when those noises come out. This means your AC is under a lot more mechanical strain than it’s used to, and it’s a pretty big problem. This one requires you to turn off your AC and give us a call.
Sounds That Are Usually Normal
Not every noise means trouble. A few are just part of a healthy system doing its job:
- Creaks from the ductwork. Sheet metal ducts expand and contract as temperatures swing, so they can creak or moan when the AC kicks on.
- A steady hum from the outdoor unit. That’s the compressor pressurizing refrigerant. It should be much quieter from inside, and not hearing it at all can be a sign of a bigger problem.
- Dripping. Moisture from the air condenses on the coils, drips into a pan, and leaves through the condensate drain. Refrigerant leaks don’t make this sound.
If any of these get loud, or come with other noises, that’s worth a closer look.
It’s Time to Make the Call
Your air conditioner needs repairs. Based on this list, if any of those noises jumped out at you at any point, you know it’s time to make the call. We’ll diagnose the issue, fix it, and get your cool air flowing again before you know it.
Contact us today to schedule your air conditioner repair as soon as possible.
Bob Bermudez, MBA, is the President and Owner of McDonald Home Services (Jim McDonald & Sons Heating & Cooling), a family-run HVAC and plumbing company serving Bradenton, Sarasota, and Manatee County since 1970. Before buying the company, Bob spent his career on the manufacturing and distribution side of HVAC — a background that shapes how he advises homeowners on equipment.