Why Is My Air Conditioner Making A Noise?

Hearing odd noises when your air conditioner is on? There’s probably something wrong with your unit. If you ignore it, it could lead to major—and expensive—troubles later. We’re going to help you find out what’s occurring with your air conditioner and what you can do to change it. 

8 Common Air Conditioning Noises 

• Gurgling – Gurgling normally indicates an issue with your refrigerant line. If you can’t pinpoint where the noise is coming from, that’s alright. An expert can help determine 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. Aging ductwork can produce noise inside your house.
• Hissing – Hissing can come from a leaky refrigerant line, an internal valve leak or the compressor.
• Buzzing – Buzzing is probably an electrical issue.
• Clicking – Clicking can hint you have a loose part or that the fan is misaligned.
• Pulsating – Pulsating can be caused by a loose part.
• Loud Noise – A loud noise from your outdoor unit can mean an issue with your compressor, damper, fan or air handler.
• Humming – Humming can be related to fan motor issues or a broken relay switch. Head to our humming noise guide for more information. 

You can find more information about prevalent air conditioning problems on energy.gov 

Should I keep operating my air conditioner when it’s making a noise? 

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

In most cases, we recommend shutting off the unit off and contacting a professional. 

When should I do something about the noise? 

We recommend calling a professional as soon as you think there’s a problem with your air conditioner. While AC repairs can be stressful and an unexpected spend, it’s smart to get problems fixed right away. Getting a professional could help reduce 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.