Why Is My Air Conditioner Making A Noise?

Hearing weird noises when your air conditioner is running? There’s a strong probability there’s something wrong with your unit. If you don’t pay attention to it, it could lead to significant—and expensive—issues down the road. We’re going to help you find out what’s going on with your air conditioner and what you can do to change it. 

8 Common Air Conditioning Noises 

• Gurgling – Gurgling generally indicates a problem with your refrigerant line. If you can’t identify where the noise is coming from, that’s alright. A professional can help verify where this noise is occurring.
• Crackling – Crackling could come from debris in the unit or aging ductwork. Debris in the outdoor unit will create a noise outside your house. Old ductwork can produce noise inside your house.
• Hissing – Hissing can be caused by a leaky refrigerant line, an internal valve leak or the compressor.
• Buzzing – Buzzing is probably an electrical issue.
• Clicking – Clicking can indicate you have a loose part or that the fan is misaligned.
• Pulsating – Pulsating can be due to a loose part.
• Loud Noise – A noticeable noise from your outside unit can indicate an issue with your compressor, damper, fan or air handler.
• Humming – Humming can begin with fan motor issues or a damaged relay switch. Read through our humming noise guide for more information. 

You can find more information about common air conditioning troubles on energy.gov 

Should I keep running my system when it’s making a noise? 

There are some cases where you can continue to run your AC, but you do so at your own risk. It’s hard to answer this question without examining your system. 

In most cases, we recommend shutting down the unit off and bringing in a professional. 

When should I do something about the noise? 

We recommend calling a professional as soon as you suspect there’s something wrong with your air conditioner. While AC repairs can be stressful and an unexpected spend, it’s smart to get problems taken care of right away. Calling a professional could help minimize future expenses and keep your system running longer. 

Not sure if your air conditioner is making any of these noises? Please schedule online for a free, in-home consultation.