Why Does My AC in Chester, VA Make So Much Noise?

Ordinarily, an air conditioner should operate fairly quietly, so if yours is making a loud noise, it will be difficult to ignore. A loud and persistent noise coming from your cooling system almost always points to trouble. Let’s discuss a few common AC noises and what they mean.

Squealing or Shrieking

If your AC starts making a squealing or shrieking noise, you’ll need to ask a professional to find the cause. The most likely cause is a mechanical or air-pressure-related issue of some kind. AC fan motors, blower motors and blower wheels will malfunction over time and can cause such noises.

Clattering

This sound suggests that debris, like pebbles, twigs, acorns or clumps of dirt, has found its way into your air conditioner. To get this debris to stop rattling around and bumping against the parts of your appliance, you’ll need to clean your AC. The easiest way to do this is to ask for preventive maintenance.

Hissing and Gurgling

You can expect to hear these noises if your heat pump leaks refrigerant. The hissing comes from the friction that arises as gaseous refrigerant escapes through holes in the system’s refrigerant lines. Gurgling sounds may occur after air displaces some of that refrigerant and forms bubbles inside the system.

Never attempt to stop refrigerant leaks or refill your system on your own. Inhaling refrigerant, even by accident, can be dangerous. If you hear these sounds coming from your AC, evacuate your home and leave fixing refrigerant leaks to the professionals.

When your AC makes unusual noises, don’t ignore them. The information above should help homeowners in Chester, VA figure out just how to respond. The most important thing to do is to call our professionals at Americool Heating & Cooling, Inc. to ask for AC repair services.

Image provided by iStock