3 Top Causes Of A Noisy Air Conditioning Unit

Air conditioners operate with some level of noise. Note that even a newly installed unit will have some humming sound when working. However, the noise is generally well-muted, and you should not even hear it unless you are close to the unit. Therefore, if your cooling system is making oddly loud noises, the chances are that something has malfunctioned. Here are the top three reasons why yours could be excessively noisy and ways to deal with it.

When You Hear Consistent Thumping or Pounding Sounds 

It is unsettling when your air conditioner suddenly makes a loud thumping noise. If this is the case, it could mean that the air conditioner's compressor has malfunctioned. Note that this is the part of the system responsible for circulating the required refrigerant, thus chilling the incoming air and expelling the warm air. So, if you hear a loud thump, it could mean your compressor is failing to start, while pounding could mean it's jumping in its housing. If this is the case, avoid removing the compressor from its housing at all costs, as failure could need a complete system replacement. Alternatively, get an AC repair technician to check the system and determine whether they can fix the problem.

Repetitive Screeching and Grinding

The air conditioner's motor may be broken or fail if you hear a grinding or screeching sound. Note that a fan won't remove warm air indoors without a properly functioning motor. As such, the temperature inside your home will fluctuate significantly. In most cases, a possible contributing factor to a screeching noise is a broken fan belt. Further, the noises happen when the fan belt on an older air conditioner comes loose or wears out. If this is the case, an AC repair expert can replace the fan belt to restore proper cooling. 

A Loud Hum or Buzz

If your cooling unit is making a buzzing noise, it may be because of electrical problems. On the other hand, it could mean you have a blockage near the copper wires connected to your unit. If you hear this noise, whether it's coming from the external connecting lines or anywhere inside the unit, you should immediately shut off the air conditioning and have it serviced by a professional. This is because electrical issues can be a fire hazard. More so, it's possible that the capacitor, the cylindrical component that stores energy and distributes it to the rest of your unit, is faulty if the problem is limited to the outdoor unit. 

Talk to an AC repair expert about these sounds and get their help determining the cause and possible ways to resolve the issue. With their help, you will restore your cooling unit's efficiency and avoid the hazards associated with sudden malfunctions.

Contact an air conditioning repair service to find out more.