It's summer. It's hot. Air conditioning is great. Unless...you can't even get a good night's sleep thanks to your noisy air conditioner.
You can't go without A/C, so what do you do? Is that noise even normal? Should you call someone?
Don't worry. MrCool is here to help.
Diagnosing a Noisy Air Conditioner
There is one big question you should ask about a noisy air conditioner: "Is the noise normal or the sign of a problem?" Depending on your air conditioner's age, the noise might be normal. Older units lack the insulation and noise-reducing technology many new units have as standard features. What you want to do is listen for a few key indicators:- Grinding: Grinding is bad. If you hear it, it's probably coming from the fan motor. The bearings in the motor can wear out after a long operating life. When they do, they start grinding. You'll need to get the fan motor replaced, since total fan failure is probably not too far off.
- Rattling: A rattling noise can be a big deal or a little one. Sometimes leaves and twigs can get caught in the vents, and sound really bad when you hear them. They're not a big deal. Clean them out and you're good. Rattling inside the compressor itself is a problem. It means operating wear and tear is starting to build up, and your compressor may be on its last legs.
- Hissing: If you hear a sharp hissing noise coming from the unit itself, that means one thing: refrigerant leak. Modern refrigerants are rarely dangerous to humans, but replacing it is expensive. Contact an HVAC professional immediately when you hear that noise.