Why Is My Air Conditioner Loud?

Air conditioners make noises because they're large machines with lots of moving parts that work hard to keep your home at a comfortable temperature. However, if your AC begins to make some unusual noises and becomes loud, it could be the sign of a serious issue. The best heating and cooling company at the Lake of the Ozarks offers a few common AC sounds and what could be causing them.

Common AC Noises

It's normal for an AC unit to make noise when running, and often times, older units are louder than newer units because they have improved over the years to reduce noise. If you own an older unit that's quite noisy, it's not necessarily a sign that it's about to quit on you. However, if you feel the noise is too loud, a professional HVAC company at the Lake of the Ozarks can advise you about the options you can take to help reduce the noise. It's also best to have regular maintenance inspections done on your unit to help keep the noise issues in check.

There are some noises, though, that require more immediate action. If you have a noise that concerns you, power off your central AC unit to prevent further damage from occurring and contact your Lake of the Ozarks HVAC repair company. A few sounds to be aware of are:

- Rattling - If you hear a rattling noise coming from an exterior AC unit, it could be caused by something that fell into the vents, such as leaves, sticks, or other outdoor debris. Another cause could also be a loose component like a bolt, screw or fastener. However, the sound could be coming from the compressor. As the motor in the compressor begins to age, it may get louder and begin to make noise.

- Grinding - If you hear a grinding noise, it could be one of the fan motors. The noise could be a sign that something might be going wrong with the fan motor, such as a worn bearing.

- Popping - If you hear popping noises in your ductwork when the air turns on and off, it could be an issue with your ductwork rather than the AC unit. As ductwork ages, it also requires maintenance to make sure there are no issues so your AC unit can continue to work effectively and efficiently to cool your home.

- Hissing - Hissing, or whistling, noises could also be caused by the ductwork. However, a hissing noise from the AC unit itself could indicate a refrigerant leak. If this is the case, it is best to contact an HVAC professional at the Lake of the Ozarks.

How To Prevent Noises

The first step in proper AC maintenance is to regularly check the AC filter and change as necessary. Filters can become clogged with dust, pet hair or even cigarette smoke, so it's important to check it once a month and change it when appears to be clogged or dirty, even if it's before the recommended date from the manufacturer's instructions.

Another way to prevent noises from occurring is to have your AC unit regularly inspected. Annual service checks by an HVAC specialist can help maintain your AC unit and keep minor issues from turning into major problems.

If you begin to hear loud, strange noises from your AC unit, it's best to contact a professional HVAC company at the Lake of the Ozarks. AC units are complicated pieces of machinery that require a trained HVAC specialist to safely inspect and repair it. To schedule an appointment with Royal Heating & Air, call us at 573-480-4313. We'll make sure your AC unit is ready to keep you and your family cool when you need it most!

Royal Heating & Air - "The King of Comfort"

Visit our website: www.RoyalHeatandAir.com
CALL TODAY! (573) 480-4313

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