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Why Is My Air Conditioner Making a Weird Noise?

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When the summer heat arrives in North Carolina, all our neighbors in Raleigh and Durham want to do is relax in a cool, air-conditioned home. But what happens when their air conditioner starts making weird noises? That’s not so relaxing.

It’s not uncommon for air conditioners to make a variety of strange sounds. What’s important is the type of sound your air conditioner is making since each sound can indicate a different issue.

Read on to learn more about why your AC is making loud noises (and how to make it stop).

Call 919-480-2727 or contact us online today to schedule immediate air conditioner repair services.

Related Reading: 5 Signs You Need To Repair Your Air Conditioner »

Weird Sounds Your Air Conditioner Makes & What They Mean

If your unit is making a high-pitched squealing noise, the issue is usually either the belt connecting the motor to the blower has slipped or the bearings on your condenser fan’s motor.

Most newer ACs don’t use a belt system, so that’s likely the problem if your unit is older. If so, you’ll hear the sound both inside and outside of your home. If this issue sounds like what you’re experiencing, the belt will need to be replaced.

If you have a newer unit, the issue is more likely the bearings on your condenser fan’s motor. Newer units use direct-drive motors without belts, which pull air across the condenser coils in your compressor.

If this is the case for your AC, you may hear squealing or grinding from your outdoor unit, which indicates that the motor needs to be replaced.

With either of these issues, we recommend calling a professional to repair your air conditioner.

Call our team today at 919-480-2727, and we’ll fix your system right away.

AC tip: Schedule regular maintenance to avoid annoying noises! »

Why Your Air Conditioner Is Making a Buzzing Sound

If you hear loud buzzing noises from your air conditioner, it’s likely malfunctioning. Typically, the issue is either loose parts, missing or broken isolation feet, refrigerant leaks, or a malfunctioning compressor.

Every part of your air conditioner works together to keep your home cool in warm temperatures. So if one part comes loose, it puts extra stress on the other parts. After extra wear puts enough stress on those parts, your unit can start making a buzzing sound that indicates a need for repair.

Your unit’s compressor sits on small rubber feet called “isolation feet” at the base of the air conditioner. After using your AC for a while, those feet can disintegrate or crack, which makes the compressor lose balance and start to make a buzzing noise when in use.

As they’re being used to cool your home, air conditioning units can actually freeze up. Your AC can become frozen if refrigerant starts leaking from the unit, which often begins emitting a buzzing sound as a result.

The issue could also be a malfunctioning compressor, which is part of the unit that pressurizes and cools down the refrigerant that then cools your home. A buzzing noise may mean your compressor isn’t working correctly or that the electrical voltage of your unit isn’t right.

Worried About AC or Heat Pump Noises?

For any of the issues listed above or others, like your air conditioner making a pulsating noise, it’s best to call a professional to resolve the problem rather than put yourself at risk.

Our professional heating and cooling specialists at Air Experts can fix your AC right away!

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Air Experts is always here for your Heating, Cooling, Indoor Air Quality, Plumbing, and Water Treatment needs. Our award-winning customer service team is available 24/7, or you can easily book an appointment online.

 

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