Why Your Air Conditioner is Making Those Odd Noises

Monday, May 28th, 2018

Air-ConditionerSummer is the most likely season for air conditioners to develop issues. They’re placed under a lot more stress than at other times of year, and the added wear and tear makes it more likely for various parts to break down. It’s important that you get your air conditioner checked out by a professional if you notice any signs that it’s malfunctioning in some way. Let’s take a look at one of the more common signs that your air conditioner is malfunctioning in some way: odd noises.

Grinding

If your air conditioner is making a grinding sound while it’s operating, it’s probably because there’s an issue with the air handler. The air handler motor contains a number of oiled bearings to help keep friction as low as possible during operation. These bearings wear down over time, causing the friction on the air handler motor to slowly increase. Once the friction gets high enough, the air handler motor will start to make a grinding sound. If you hear this sound, you should call for repairs as soon as possible. The bearings will need to be replaced soon, before the air handler motor overheats and burns out.

Hissing

If your air conditioner is making a sound like the air being let out of a tire, it’s probably because it has air bubbles in the refrigerant line. That means you have a leak. The lower the refrigerant level in the air conditioner drops due to a leak, the lower the system’s output capacity will drop in response. Eventually the refrigerant level in the system will drop so low that the air conditioner will be forced to shut down. So, make sure that you call for repairs as soon as you notice fluid dripping from your system or a hissing noise coming from it.

Short Cycling

If the air conditioner turns itself on and off every couple of minutes, it’s short cycling. Short cycling can be caused by a number of things, including electrical issues and compressor malfunctions. Regardless of the cause, though, what’s more important is the threat it poses to your air conditioner. The system cuts down on the air conditioner’s ability to cool the home, but it also accelerates the rate at which the system wears out. Prolonged short cycling will make the system more prone to breaking down, and shorten its lifespan by a number of years. For this reason, you should call for repairs as soon as you notice your system short cycling.

As always, these are just a few of the various odd noises that could indicate a problem in your air conditioner. If your system starts making any sounds that seem out of the ordinary, it’s probably best to have a professional check it out for you just to be sure.

Comfort First Heating and Cooling, Inc. provides a full range of air conditioner repair services throughout Joliet, IL. If your air conditioner is malfunctioning in some way, contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our expert technicians.  

Continue Reading