Most people are familiar with the basic operational sounds of whole home air conditioning. At most, you should hear the fan and maybe a low-level b whhrrrb kind of sound coming from the outdoor unit. Indoors, you may hear the sound of the air moving through the vents as the cool air travels into your home. Whole home AC systems are designed to be quiet, as loud operational noise is a deterrent from using them. As such, if you start to hear sounds beyond the ones described above, itb s time to call your Comfort Central, Inc., technician for help.
Making Sense of the Noise
While you should always leave your AC repair to a specialist, it is good to have a basic understanding of what strange noises can mean when you hear them coming from your air conditioning system:
- Banging or clanging b this sound is usually indicative of a loose part hitting other parts of your system, and the usual culprits are fan blades. You may also hear a banging in your ductwork when the cool air moves through. This can be the contraction of the metal, but it can also be indicative of a broken seal.
- Buzzing b a loud buzzing sound typically comes from an electrical issue. Electrical problems can be serious, and lead to burning. If you are hearing a loud buzzing sound emanating from any part of your system, shut it off immediately and schedule a repair appointment.
- Screeching b there are two common causes for screeching, and one is a much more serious problem than the other. The first, less serious problem is a fan belt. Your AC system has two fans, a condenser fan and the indoor blower, and each has a fan belt that can stretch and wear out. The second problem may be an issue with your compressor in which the pressure is way too high inside the component when it operates, and air is escaping wherever it can, creating a screeching sound. If the screeching sound you hear is coming from the compressor, turn your system off immediately and wait for a technician to repair it before using it again.
Odd sounds are one of the main ways your AC system communicates that a problem or problems has developed. Hearing something strange? Give us a call and schedule an appointment for your home in Fletcher, NC.