Your AC unit isn’t completely silent as it works to heat and cool your home. You hear it as the unit turns on to begin a cooling cycle and again as it turns off. While the HVAC system is running it produces what we describe as “white noises” which are consistent sounds that fade into the background of your home so that you don’t even notice them. But what happens when an unusual sound pops up and causes you to question if something is wrong?
When that happens, it may be time to schedule AC repair in North Las Vegas. Ignoring unusual sounds and hoping they go away is never a good idea. Instead, you should address problems early to avoid more significant damage. Plus, addressing problems early ensures that your unit will cool without any surprises – like turning off without explanation in the middle of the hottest day of the year. But what noises should ring alarm bells in your head? Learn when to call for an AC checkup.
Unusual AC Sounds
Running water – It’s normal to hear water occasionally in your AC unit. When the air gets cooled, the heat evaporates and turns into condensation and water. Your unit then channels that water outside to get it away from your system. But does it ever sound like water is running without stopping? That’s a sign that something may be wrong with the refrigerant, which can lead to a complete system breakdown when left unaddressed.
Booming or roaring – Does your unit ever get so loud that it scares you? You may be looking around and wondering what’s going on only your AC unit is imitating a jet engine. Most of the time, this indicates a problem with your AC’s compressor. The compressor is what kickstarts each cooling cycle, so when it stops working all progress inside your unit ceases. The compressor can be expensive to replace, so plan on addressing problems early before they become bigger.
Clattering or clanging – If you ever hear the tap, tap, tap, or similar sounds, your AC unit didn’t suddenly grow tap shoes. Instead, something came loose or fell out of place, Your unit is still working, but as it runs that part is rattling around and potentially causing more damage. A component may just need to be secured back in place.
Whistling or hissing – These sounds are another sign of a refrigerant leak. In this case, the leak may be in a portion of the unit where the refrigerant is in its gas form instead of its liquid form. Whistling or hissing may also indicate that a seal is loose somewhere. These issues are usually easy to fix but can lead to additional damage when left unattended.
High-pitched squealing – Anything that you would describe as shrill, sharp, or screeching is a sign of a problem. Even if you only hear it once or twice, it’s not a normal AC sound. These sounds can indicate a problem with a belt or a fan inside the unit. It’s normal for these parts to wear down over time, but you want to replace them before they break completely.
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