Air Conditioner Noises 101 - Buzzing, Hissing, Squeaking

Are the air conditioner noises coming from your your air conditioner sound like squeaking, hissing or buzzing and you just can’t seem to figure out what it is? We have customers call us for advice on screaming, humming, rattling, clanking and banging every day. It’s not that uncommon, especially if your air conditioner is a little older. A minor tweak here and there usually can resolve the issue, but other noises can be a warning sign that your air conditioning system is failing and needs to be looked at now before becoming an emergency air conditioner repair.

If you have a system that is a little older, with most of the following information it would be wise to get a technician out to service your system as soon as possible. Minor issues can turn into major ones if not looked after in a timely fashion. Most of us tend to put things off like that and think, I’ll call them tomorrow. Do it today. Small problems can turn in to larger more expensive problems when left unattended.

We’ve put together a list of the most common noises and what may be going on with your system. Noises should be investigated sooner rather than later to keep your system running smoothly.

• Screaming –No one wants to hear a screaming AC! Turn your unit off, screaming usually means your compressor could be failing.  If your AC is screaming – turn it off, we can’t stress this enough. 

• Squealing – This may be a belt slipping or the bearings of the condenser motor may be wearing. If you notice a squealing noise coming from the air handler or the compressor unit outside, turn your system off immediately. By continuing to run your system you could be creating more damage to your system. Call us as soon as possible and set up a service call.

• Clicking – If your A/C is repeatedly clicking it could mean a relay could be going bad. If it’s a clicking that happens just when your unit shuts on or off, that’s normal. 

• Banging and or clanking –These types of sounds usually mean there is an issue with the blower assembly or the motor. Again, this is not a sound that a homeowner wants to hear coming from their air conditioner air handler or compressor. Turn your air conditioning system off and call us to set up an ac service call as soon as possible.

• Rattling –This type of sound usually means something is coming loose inside your system. The louder the sound the more serious a problem could be. 

• Humming – Humming noises most of the time is a capacitor starting to fail. Other times, it could be your motor starting to fail.  

A few other signs that could mean you need to have your air conditioning system looked at. Take a moment and call for a service call before your system shuts down completely.

Loud buzzing sounds. This can mean that the isolation feet (the compressor sits on small rubber feet called isolation feet), are degrading or have cracked. If this happens, it can cause the compressor to become unstable which can cause the loud buzzing sound. Loud buzzing can also mean that your compressor may not be working correctly, or that electrical voltage flowing through the outdoor unit is not at the correct amperage.

Ice appears on your coils. Normally this is a sign of a refrigerant leak. When this starts to happen, you may notice that your system is blowing warm air or that your system can’t “keep up” in the heat of the day. If you notice warm air blowing or your system isn’t keeping up in the heat of the day, check your filters too. A clogged or dirty filter can cause your system to blow warm air. If you have checked your filters and they seem to be clean, you could have a lead. Call our office and schedule a service call as soon as possible. 

Water in the pan below your air handler. If your system is equipped with a flow switch, your system will automatically shut off to prevent water running over the pan and onto your floor or ceiling dependent on where your air handler is installed. This usually can be corrected by clearing the drain line that may have become clogged with algae or something lodged in the drain line (like a lizard!) If you are a do-it-yourselfer, you can grab your wet/dry vac and clean out the drain line yourself. You may want to run a solution of bleach and water through the drain line only to clear out any algae that may have grown inside your drain line. 

If you are on a maintenance contract, chances are you have had one of the technicians point out a capacitor or relay is starting to fail and suggest replacing it during your maintenance. Having small fixes completed during a maintenance may save you from a complete system failure in the future. Preventive maintenance is the best way to keep your system running efficiently and worry free. 

If you have never had your HVAC system maintained on a regular basis it’s probably because like most of us, we don’t think about it until our air conditioner breaks down. By having your system serviced on a regular basis you may avoid breakdowns and causing more damage to your system by not taking care of small repairs when needed. 

On a maintenance agreement with Four Seasons Air Conditioning, we call you to schedule your appointments so you don’t have to remember to call us. If we leave a message, we do call you back, send a post card or an email too. You also enjoy discounts on parts, labor, no over time fees, 24/7/365 service, priority service and more. Our maintenance contracts are economical and are an excellent way for our customers to keep their systems running at peak efficiency and top performance for many years.

In all cases, if  the air conditioner noises are loud enough that you constantly hear them while in your home or garage, it’s time to get your system looked at before your system completely fails and you need emergency AC service.

Have questions? Give us a call at 941-548-4216 or email us at Questions@4SeasonsAC.com .  We service Venice, all of Charlotte County including South Punta Gorda.