Your Noisy Air Conditioner Is Telling You Something

Your air conditioner has worked hard all summer long. But even as you tear another page off your calendar, and we move more into autumn, it’s not time to turn your air conditioner off for good. In fact, here in Colorado, you may turn on your air conditioner all throughout fall as the temperatures rise and fall. It’s a way of life here along the Front Range.

Your air conditioner has worked well in the past few months. Yet now, when it turns on, you hear a noise that wasn’t there before. It clicks. It pings. It squeaks and squeals. What is your noisy air conditioner trying to tell you?

Whistling

Every time the air conditioner turns on, there’s a whistling sound from the vents. That whistling sound can be caused by several things.

The first is a clogged air filter. It’s been a long, hot, dry summer. And with the number of fires we’ve had across the Front Range this year, that also means a lot of potential debris circulated through your system. As we move into fall, change your air filter, and the whistling noise may go away.

If it doesn’t, it may be a sign of duct damage. The ventilation is installed and properly sealed. But as your heating and cooling system operates throughout the year, the ductwork expands and contracts, and may eventually give way. If any joints have wiggled loose, causing leaks, it may show up as a whistling noise.

If you’ve recently replaced your HVAC components, or have had work done to your ventilation system, it might be a sign of incorrect work. If your furnace or air conditioner aren’t properly sized, or if a repair wasn’t completed correctly, it can show up as a whistle.

Shaking and Rattling

If any part of your air conditioner is loose, it can move every time your cooling system turns on. Each piece can shake and rattle, becoming looser. Which starts the process all over again. It could be your air conditioner has wiggled loose from the landing it sits on, or a problem somewhere in the ductwork.

Squealing

That high pitched noise you hear from your air conditioner can be a problem with your compressor, or an issue with the blower motor. This often comes when the air conditioner isn’t properly lubricated, or a blower belt has slipped.

Buzzing

A buzzing noise often indicates there is a problem with the electrical system. If you ever think you have an electrical problem, it’s best to call in a professional right away.

Constant Running

With months of use, the coil fins can become clogged with dirt and debris, or bent from damage. This causes the system to work less efficiently than it should. As your air conditioner struggles to perform, it continues to create cooled air. If it can’t reach the desired temperature, it continues to operate until you flip the switch.

The best way to create a more efficient, quieter air conditioner, regular maintenance is a must.

As we move into the fall and winter, and you use your air conditioner less frequently, call in one of our maintenance technicians. We can clean your air conditioner up for the winter, and get your furnace ready for the cold months ahead.