Air Conditioning Noise Concerns

It’s perfectly normal for an air conditioner (AC) to make some noise and isn’t necessarily the sign of a broken unit. You should also keep in mind that if your unit is older, it’s likely to be louder than a newer one. If the regular noise level is unbearable, feel free to talk to one of our friendly technicians at Arctic Mechanical. They will do their best to remedy the situation for you.

If you’ve noticed that your air conditioner is making strange or unfamiliar sounds, there might be an issue. We’ve identified a few common noises that may be symptoms of a broken machine:

Rattling

Rattling usually means something is loose. It could be something benign, like a stray bolt or something that fell into the vents. Sometimes it also means the compressor has become unfastened, which could lead to costly damage. If you hear rattling, and suspect you have a loose compressor, you should contact one of our technicians immediately.

Grinding

Grinding is most often one of the fan motors, or it could be caused by a worn bearing.

Popping

Popping is often caused by issues with the ductwork, not the central air. Annual maintenance checkups can prevent this from becoming an issue.

Hissing

Hissing can be the sound of refrigerant leaking. If you think you have a refrigerant leak, you should have a technician over as soon as possible.

If you hear a noise that concerns you, don’t ignore it! Let our Arctic Mechanical experts help you properly diagnose and treat your air conditioner. If you’re in the Blaine, MN, area, give us a call at 612-741-9297.