A fussy air conditioner is anything but cool
In the heat of summer, the last thing you want to worry about is whether or not to run the air conditioner because it’s too loud—especially considering the best time to run your AC consistently throughout the day to get the best performance.
Fortunately, whether the noise you’re hearing is a constant low humming, a loud screeching, or a periodic banging, you can do things to reduce noise and keep cool. Keep reading for tips on how to quiet a noisy air conditioner and get to the source of your problem.
There are a few reasons why you’ve got a noisy air conditioner on your hands. Everything from the age of a machine to issues with parts can cause strange sounds to occur. Here are the possible reasons for the sudden racket and how to tell which one you’re dealing with.
Although buzzing is among the HVAC noises you never want to hear, it is one that an old air conditioning unit can cause. Before looking for other issues, ask yourself when you last updated your air conditioner. Air conditioners typically last 10 to 15 years, so age could be causing all the noise if your machine is in this range.
Along with buzzing, a few other sounds will help you confirm that your machine is reaching the end of its life. Screaming, squealing, and grinding are all sounds of a worn-out AC unit. If any of these noises are familiar, it’s probably time to replace all (or part) of your machine.
If you’ve ruled out age as your problem, listen closely to figure out what is causing an issue. Rattling or banging sounds typically indicate that your machine has loose parts. Fortunately, this problem is much easier—and less expensive to resolve—than replacing a machine because of old age.
Excessive dust and debris build-up in AC units can also lead to unwanted noises. Rattling may be caused by sticks or small rocks that have found their way into the vent from outside. And straining sounds can indicate that a large dust build-up is forcing your machine to work twice as hard. These issues can both easily be remedied by frequent cleanings and regular visits from an HVAC company near you.
If your AC unit is making a whistling sound, there’s usually only one culprit: leaking refrigerant. If you suspect this is your problem, look for condensation on AC to confirm, then turn the machine off until a professional has a chance to repair it.
Now that you know what causes strange AC noises, the following steps will show you how to restore silence to your abode, depending on your specific problem.
Your air conditioner’s compressor (the device that circulates refrigerant during the heating exchange) and condenser (the outside part that collects or releases heat) are the most likely culprits of loud noises coming from your unit, especially if your AC is 10 years or older.
A constant loud buzzing noise is a sign that a motor could wear down—which may be a sign that it’s time to either repair or replace your air conditioner.
Take a close look at the screws holding your condenser in place. Sometimes, they can come loose and cause the condenser or other parts of your air conditioner to rattle or shake, which can create a loud humming noise.
One of the biggest things that kill your air conditioner is skipping out on AC maintenance. Whether you check on your AC once a year or hire an AC specialist, you should service your air conditioner annually to prolong its life.
If the condenser’s motor isn’t the source of the noise, there are a few other general AC maintenance tips that could help. For example, dust build-up on fan blades can also increase the volume of your AC.
The best tool for cleaning fan blades is your vacuum. Attach the brush component to your vacuum hose and gently vacuum the blades, being cautious not to push or bend them.
This is also a good time to replace the air filters on your AC unit, which can help your air conditioner run efficiently during summer.
If your unit doesn’t need replacement, isn’t old, or isn’t dirty, you might just have an abnormally loud air conditioner. Building a small fence around your air conditioner creates a sound barrier between you and your AC unit, which helps muffle noises.
You can build a 3-foot tall fence (with 3 feet of space on all sides) out of plywood for about $20. This is a good way to test if a fence will be the solution for reducing sound. If so, you can install a permanent fence around it later.
Keep in mind, maintaining a 3-foot gap around the perimeter is important. Restricting your AC unit could cause it to overheat, which can damage the unit and reduce its cooling performance in your home.
Sound blankets are another good way to stifle noises coming from a loud AC unit.
Many air conditioners design sound blankets to match the make or model of a specific air conditioner. Do research online or contact the company you bought it from for recommendations on which sound blanket you should get.
HVAC lifespans range from 10 to 15 years. If your unit is on the older side and some or all of these tips aren’t helping, it might be worth bringing in a local heating and cooling specialist.
Besides diagnosing your AC’s issues, an air conditioning specialist can also give you tips on which model to install next. One reason your air conditioner might be loud is that you (or the previous owner) installed a unit that’s actually more powerful than your home needs.
New air conditioners are typically quiet and more energy efficient. Replacing your AC could solve your noise problem and save you money on energy bills.
Ben Kissam contributed to this piece.
I had Ace Fireplace Services install custom chimney caps for my home, and the results are stunning. They fit like a glove and have added a touch of sophistication to my chimney. I can't recommend their services enough.
Ace Fireplace ServicesI play a yearly service fee to get my heat and AC checked out, twice a year. It's awesome. The techs are always great.
CJS Heating and Air ColumbusI paid $158 for my furnace and then they also come back and do my air conditioner in the summer. I thought the price was reasonable, I thought it was good. It was my hold up. From the time I called them, they were there in a couple of days. Workers were good. Area left clean.
Buckeye Heating & CoolingVery professional. Explained what they were doing and what we need to do to keep system running well. Will use them again for plumbing and HVAC services
they sent a Heating Tech, Donnie to check out our furnace. He was courteous and very knowledgeable and very skilled in his trade. He thoroughly checked every aspect of my heating system and gave me suggestions to keep things working properly. He told me that the filters were still good and...
Best Service Heating & CoolingWe originally just had a problem with the a/c, but the owner came out and said with all the rebates we could get a really good package plan for both the heating and cooling units. It came in and the job was completed way before the promised time.
Classic AirThey were pretty easy to set up. They were flexible with scope and gave me a lot of good advice on my HVAC systems. The ducts hasn't been cleaned since I bought the house and I kept being told these were the dirtiest they had ever seen. They did a great job getting the ducts mucked out and...
Everything was great. They installed a new motor on a Wednesday and it heated ok for a day, which they did not charge me for. They came back out on Saturday and said that it was admitting Co2. They had to shut it down for safety. They made an appointment to come out Sunday. They made an...
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
What you’ll pay in Columbus, OH, for furnace repairs depends on many factors. Here’s a breakdown of what can go wrong and the cost to fix those issues.
HVAC replacement costs depend on a lot of factors, like unit type, size, and labor. See what you can expect to pay for HVAC replacement here.
Repairing ductwork in a crawl space is frustrating and difficult, which is reflected in the cost. Learn why limited access results in a premium cost beyond just a simple increase in labor hours.
Are you considering adding a whole-house humidifier to your home? Keep reading to learn the pros and cons of a whole-house humidifier.
Is your heat pump not blowing hot air? Several factors could be causing this issue, and we dive into seven of the most common heat pump issues.
Furnace problems have all kinds of causes, ranging from clogged filters to damaged components. Here are some of the most common culprits behind these issues.
