What’s That Sound? Loud Air Conditioner Sounds and What to Do About That Awful Noise
Noise
You know this tale all too well. You’re sitting in your home on a hot day, enjoying the cold air blowing out of your air conditioner (that happens to be purring along like a proverbial kitten) when all of us a sudden your poor machine starts whirring and grinding at decibels that are hard to ignore. You know it should not be making that sound – and it only gets worse as time goes on.
Air conditioners should make sounds to some degree. After all, they are high-powered machines designed to blow large volumes of cold air throughout each room of our home. But what sounds are normal and which require attention? Today’s blog gets to the heart of loud air conditioner sounds.
When a Sound Signifies a Problem
If your air conditioner is older it just may make more noise than a newer model. A roaring older model may not necessarily mean something is wrong. However, some noises may require immediate attention to prevent a small problem from quickly becoming an emergency. Sounds you should be concerned about include:
Rattling – Rattling noises coming from an exterior AC unit may mean something fell into the vents, such as leaves or sticks. A rattle could also mean something has come loose, like a bolt, screw, or fastener. Unfortunately, the sound could also be coming from the compressor, especially if the sound gets louder over time. If it’s the compressor, you’ll want to service it immediately.
Grinding – Grinding can indicate that a fan motor is failing. A worn bearing could be the culprit and warrants an inspection.
Popping – If you’re starting to hear popping noises coming from your ductwork you’ll want a professional out to inspect your ducts. As ductwork ages, it requires maintenance to ensure that nothing is damaged so your AC unit can effectively and safely continue to cool your home.
Hissing – Hissing or whistling noises may indicate a problem with your ductwork as well. However, if the sound is coming directly from the AC itself this may be the sign of a refrigerant leak, which would require an HVAC professional servicing the unit as soon as possible.
Preventing Potential Issues
Although air conditioner problems are inevitable, you can do your part to prevent serious issues by regularly changing your AC filter and inspecting it for debris, dust, and smoke. You’ll also want to have your air conditioning unit inspected annually to prevent minor issues from turning into major problems.
Of course, if you are experiencing any of these loud air conditioner sounds or your AC clearly seems to be malfunctioning, don’t hesitate to call the professionals at Gorman Mechanical. Offering emergency calls and 24/7 service, we’re only a phone call away. Visit our website for more information or call us today at (817) 238-1616.
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I had an issue with my A/C unit not cooling properly. The technician, Stacy, arrived during the time frame I was given, and I received a phone call about 30 minutes prior to his arrival, letting me know he was on his way. He was very professional and conscientious in figuring out and explaining the issue to me. He work was complete in a little over an hour and my house is cool once again! I will definitely refer Gorman Mechanical to others.
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A Gorman technician came over to set us up with a new A/C unit and he did a phenomenal job. He was very up front with any cost and got our install scheduled in one day. He did a great job at getting me the unit needed without running the price through the roof.
- Allen
I met with Gorman Mechanical’s Sales Manager. When he came out I had a bad taste in my mouth due to some misrepresentations made by another company that happened to be A rated on Angie’s List. Because of this I’m certain I was on the defensive and asked a million questions. He was very patient and took plenty of time answering all my questions. He was very knowledgeable and helped educate me on my options and the advantages/shortfalls of each. When I came to the actual bid, I felt it was very competitive compared to other bids I’d received. I felt so well informed and confident at that point I cancelled two other appointments I’d made for that day and signed up with Gorman Mechanical. He was able to promptly arrange a great deal on financing the bulk of the cost, leaving me to pay out of pocket for a couple last minute additions (extended warranty/Reme Halo). They did not want this until installation was complete. A couple days later they installed my new system and I’ve been very happy with it. Shortly after installation I had several other questions about maintenance and a small amount that was overcharged upon installation. He was very responsive answering my questions and arranging for a prompt refund check to be sent. Fortunately, it isn’t often that I need to spend so much money on an important purchase like this, but I felt very confident with my decision and going through the process with him and Gorman Mechanical made it painless. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Gorman Mechanical to friends and family.
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The repairman, Tim H., was prompt and courteous. I explained that he was a second opinion for our 21-year-old AC. The first company said that I would need 2 parts totaling $600 plus a coil that they would have to send a salesman out to quote me a price. Also first company was suggesting that I really needed whole new system. After inspection, Tim showed me how a part was wired the wrong way and he replaced a compactor and repaired a burnt wire. 2 lbs Freon were added. Total cost was retail: $217.75. I had a warranty so I paid less but what a difference in $600.00+ and $217.75! AC is working fine now. And we didn’t have to buy a new system. Thanks, Gorman Mechanical and Tim H.! The world needs more honest repairmen like you!
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