Air Conditioner Making a Noise? Learn Why.

It's never a good sign when your air conditioner is making loud noises. If your AC sounds like running water, is clicking, gurgling, or making other abnormal sounds, it's a sign that something is malfunctioning.

The most common reasons air conditioners make weird sounds include:

• Loose or damaged components
• Refrigerant leak
• Debris in the outdoor unit
• Fan motor problem
• Thermostat issue
• Clogged drain line

So, what can you do? The first step is to take note of the sound. From there, it's crucial to contact a professional technician to diagnose and fix the issue. A trained HVAC pro can ensure the problem is correctly identified and repaired, preventing further damage to your system and ensuring your home remains comfortable and cool.

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Do you hear banging, clanking, or rattling inside your unit? These sounds are often caused by loose parts. For example, it could be loose fan blades, loose parts inside the compressor, or something else that's out of place.

It's important to address this issue promptly. If you keep your AC running as usual while parts are banging or rattling together, they can cause more damage to each other. What could have been a relatively easy repair might end up becoming a costly replacement.

If you're unsure where the sound is coming from, call an experienced professional for help.

When you have a refrigerant leak, the most common sound you'll hear is hissing or gurgling. Refrigerant flows through your system to help cool the air before it's pumped into your home. However, when there's a leak in the piping, it hisses due to the extreme pressure it's typically held under.

Refrigerant should only be handled by trained professionals, as refrigerant can be hazardous to work with. They will isolate and repair the leak and then ensure the entire system is recharged with refrigerant.

Some rattling sounds can come from foreign objects that managed to get inside your outdoor unit. This often happens when shrubs are overgrown around it or after a storm with strong winds.

If left ignored, dust and debris can hinder the transfer of heat as it passes by, affecting your AC's efficiency. The simplest solution is to clean out your unit. While you can DIY it, you might want to trust the pros to avoid bending cooling fins or damaging any electrical connections.

Your AC uses fans to move air. However, if something happens to them, they can start making strange noises. A buzzing noise, for example, could indicate that debris is impacting one of the fans. If they're squealing, the fan motor bearings may be dry and require lubrication.

You'll want to get a reliable HVAC technician out to take a look at the problem and either fix the current fan or replace the part.

In some cases, the problem with your AC isn't the system itself but the thermostat. This is especially true if you hear your AC clicking several times, but it never turns on to start blowing cold air.

If you hear frequent clicking when you're near your thermostat, it's likely due to a broken relay. The relay is the part that opens and closes to turn your AC on or off.

A broken thermostat is a job for the HVAC pros. They can either replace the damaged component or install a brand-new thermostat for you.

The condensate line is an integral part of your indoor AC system that moves moisture away from your unit and outside. Moisture can lead to mold growth, and the line can get clogged with dirt and debris. When the clog causes condensation to back up in the line, it can produce a strange gurgling sound. If you've found yourself asking, "Why does my AC sound like water running?" This is the most likely culprit.

To eliminate the sound, you'll need to unclog the drain line. While you might be tempted to try using a wet/dry vacuum to remove the clog yourself, it's best to hire a professional HVAC technician. They’ll have the right tools and expertise to thoroughly clean the drain line and ensure no debris is left behind. This prevents future clogs and potential damage to your system. Better yet, schedule an AC maintenance visit, and the technician will provide a thorough cleaning and inspection of your system. They’ll locate any underlying issues that might have contributed to the clog, ensuring your AC runs efficiently and reliably.

Four Seasons Heating & Air Conditioning has been providing reliable AC repairs and installations for over 40 years throughout the Portland metro area. Our NATE-certified technicians arrive on time and provide transparent and fair pricing, ensuring no surprises on your final AC repair bill.