Why My Air Conditioner Is So Noisy?

If your air conditioner is noisy, AC technicians recommend checking the quality of the noise first before identifying the source. If the pitch for example is unusually high, it can indicate a compressor glitch. If the sound is primarily rattling or clanking in nature, it can come from loose spares inside the unit. A more serious problem may be in store for you if there is a ‘hissing’ tone to the noise as the unit valves may have gotten affected in that case.

So, what is causing the noise in your AC? Well, the following can be the reasons. Read on.

Some noises are standard

Before starting to explain why your air conditioner is noisy, it is important to mention that several noises are perfectly customary for an AC to produce. These are –

• Sudden thumping noise when you start the AC on

• Buzzing sound when the fan starts up

• Sound of air flowing in and out of the duct

Noises that indicate problem

Screeching noise

Any screeching sound in any AC indicates that there is an underlying problem in the unit. It depends more on the kind of set-up that your model has actually.

• For a belt driven motor structured system, a screeching noise points towards a loosely affixed belt in the unit. A belt that is washed-out can also make a screeching sound when turning.

• For more recent models with direct-drive motors, this noise can come from worn out bearings.

In both cases, replacing the troubled part, i.e. the belt and/or the bearing by a trained technician will solve the problem.

Popping or Cracking noise

If your AC is emitting popping or cracking noises while running, or promptly after it shuts down, the problem lies in the air-ducts in all probability. This is usually caused when the duct inside expands and contracts due to internal temperature changes. This is common in tropical climates as warm air finds way into the air ducts at home and then cools. This is however not too grave a problem to worry too much about and can be easily rectified by making a tiny indentation in the duct surface to alter the levelness of it and cut back the sound.

Too loud or too frequent popping noises can however indicate that the air ducts need a clean-up. There might be blower problems as well. A D-I-Y job is not recommended here as professionals can do it the best.

Clanking noise

Clanking noise generally indicates:

• Loose hardware

• Blower problems

• Low oil-level in compressors

A technician is the best person to handle any of these issues.

Hissing noise

A hissing sound is by far the most dangerous sound to get emitted from an AC as it usually indicates excess pressure over the compressor or internal valve leakage. Both need expert maintenance at all levels.

In general, AC manufactures say that if your air conditioner is noisy it is best to call for a technician’s assistance. ACs are intricate electrical units and trying to quick-fix them on one’s own can be a dangerous idea if one is not trained to do it rightly.