1. Faulty Blower Wheel
2. Damaged Bearing
Additionally, it helps to prolong the life of the air conditioner by reducing wear and tear on the compressor and other parts of the system.
This can lead to lower energy bills for customers who use their air conditioners regularly. In some cases, it can also help to improve the overall performance of the air conditioner.
3. Dirty Filter
4. Low Refrigerant Pressure
5. Faulty Compressor
The air conditioner compressor is a vital component of any AC system. The compressor is responsible for circulating refrigerant throughout the AC system, and if it’s not working properly, it can cause the entire system to operate inefficiently
If your air conditioner is making a pulsating noise, it could be due to a faulty compressor. In some cases, a faulty compressor can also cause the AC unit to overheat, which can damage other components and lead to a total system breakdown.
Air Conditioner Noises and What They Mean
Other types of air conditioner noises should be a cause for alarm. Let’s have a look at these noise types.
Clanking
Like pulsating, clanking is a sign of a loose part or a misaligned AC part.
Some parts inside the air conditioner’s sealed unit have likely failed, and the compressor could be loose hence requiring a replacement.
Clanking noises could also mean that the outdoor or indoor blower fan and the blades are out of balance.
In such a scenario, the problem could only worsen, and worst-case scenarios create more significant problems.
Banging
Like any other appliance or tool, banging noises are usually an indicator of a broken or loose part- in this case, possibly a crankshaft, piston pin, or a connecting rod inside the air conditioning compressor.
In other cases, it could be a sign of an imbalanced indoor blower.
In some extreme cases, banging noises could be an indicator that the compressor needs replacement.
Buzzing Noises
There are different causes of buzzing noises in an air conditioner. They include:
- Debris in the outdoor or indoor unit
- Loose parts
- Fan motor loose
- Loose blades
- Condenser coils need cleaning
- The air filter needs replacement
- Blower out of balance or going bad
- Refrigerant leaks
If you note that the air conditioner usually operates outside but doesn’t cool your room, then the biggest culprit, in this case, is a refrigerant leak.
This could be accompanied by some weird noises depending on the leak location.
Clicking Noises
There are some normal clicking noises, such as when switching on and shutting down the air conditioner.
However, a constant and unending clicking noise is something that should make you worry.
Clicking noise could be a sign of a failing thermostat or even a defective control.
Additionally, there are lots of electrical components in your AC, and so it’s always important to pay attention even to the slightest electrical issue as soon as possible before they escalate to bigger issues.
Chattering/Rattling
Rattling noise could be a sign of deteriorating air conditioner and loosening parts.
On the other hand, it could be a sign that leaves or twigs have clogged the system.
Additionally, the electrical contractor in the AC can also make chattering noises which could damage other elements, including the compressor, if allowed to operate for long.
The fan also produces rattling noises when loose.
In this case, the first thing you should do is to inspect for any loose bolts or screws in the unit casing, change the indoor filter, and clean the condenser coils.
Humming
Humming noise isn’t something serious, but it’s an indicator of something wrong inside the air conditioner.
Loose refrigerant piping or parts can be a cause for humming noise, and when left unchecked, it could result in some severe problems.
In most cases, buzzing or humming noises are signals of electrical problems.
If the AC compressor only hums and doesn’t start, then the problem could be with the motor system, even though loose wiring can also be the cause.
Whirring
Does your air conditioner sound like a helicopter?
If that’s the case, you could face a series of mechanical problems either with the outdoor or the indoor blower.
In most cases, whirring noises result from bad bearings from the indoor blower fan motor or a mechanical problem in the outdoor unit or indoor blower unit.
When the fan blades become loose or damaged belts in the system, whirring noise can occur.
In rare cases, debris or piece of paper can get trapped in the outdoor fan unit or indoor blower fan, causing whirring noises.
Screaming Noises
High pitched noises could be mean something wrong that needs professional fix immediately.
If you hear a screaming or high-pitched noise, I recommend you switch off the unit and call a professional immediately.
This is because refrigerant leak causes this sound and can damage your AC and cause serious health problems. (Source)
Screaming noise could also be an indicator of high internal pressure in the compressor, which can also be dangerous.
If your AC turns off by itself, then you shouldn’t panic as it’s an indicator that a sensor is doing its job in protecting you from a possibly hazardous situation.
On Air Conditioner Making Pulsating Noise
Air conditioner making pulsating noise isn’t a major cause of concern but should warrant professional inspection.
Summers are hot, and you need a well-functioning air conditioning unit to welcome the hot days.
An air conditioner isn’t a luxury but rather a necessity, and when it’s making noises, it needs to be fixed since it’s not only your comfort that’s at stake.
When the temperatures in your home reach whole new levels, your emotional and mental well-being significantly plummets just as your physical comfort.
Meet Mike O’Connor, (a DIY enthusiast), living in Cincinnati, a city ranked as the noisiest in the USA.
As a work from home dad, I have a first hand experience of how noise can truly affect your well being.
Soundproofing isn’t something that should be taken as a hobby, it should be a skill that every homeowner should be equipped with.
Most of the work documented on this blog comes from purely first hand experience, and the products recommended work as indicated.