How can you tell when there’s a problem with your air conditioner? Listen to what it’s telling you!
What’s that you say? You don’t speak air conditioner? You don’t know what your AC unit is trying to communicate? Never fear! Here is a handy translation guide for air conditioner noises and what they mean.
First, you should keep in mind that any changes in the sounds coming from your air conditioner should be cause for concern. If a sound is new or sudden, or has been gradually increasing in volume, consider it a complaint from your air conditioner. Here are some of the specific things you might hear.
Bang or Clunk
Did someone put a rock in the clothes dryer? There are a couple of issues that can sound like this. With luck, you just have a broken component such as a fan blade getting bounced around in there. A more serious possibility is the crankshaft or connecting rod of the compressor. Either way, time is of the essence! Get air conditioning repair in New Braunfels, TX right away. That loose fan blade could damage other components, and if compressor damage gets bad enough you might need to replace the whole air conditioner.
Buzz or Rattle
If you hear this, your first port of call should be the air filter. Clean or replace it and make sure it’s securely in place. If the sound continues, there could be something as simple as a screw that needs tightening somewhere, or even dirty or obstructed cooling coils. Help your air conditioner out by having a professional take a look.
Hiss or Whistle
This tends to be the sound of something escaping through a small hole or crack. It could be air being pushed or pulled through a damaged area of your ductwork. Or it could be refrigerant leaking from a worn spot on the air conditioner’s coils. Either is repairable, and a technician can determine which it is.
Screech or Squeal
When the belt has stretched out, started to slip from its position, or begun to tear, these very alarming sounds can happen. If you continue to operate your air conditioner without getting repairs, it’s likely that the belt will snap or come completely free. It could easily whip into other components and cause a lot more damage, but if you get it fixed right away, it’s a straightforward repair.
Click
One of the things amateurs should never mess around with is electricity and electrical components of appliances. Clicking sounds coming from your air conditioner can indicate an electrical issue, so it’s important to have a professional take a look. It is possible that the clicking sound is just from a slightly loose panel, and a moment with a screwdriver is all that’s needed. Best not to take risks when there could be an electrical hazard, though.
If you hear these or any other strange sounds from your air conditioner, we’re happy to help.
At Thayer Air Conditioning, your comfort is our #1 priority! Contact us today.
