Why Your Air Conditioner Is Making Loud Noises

Have you noticed that your home's air conditioner is getting louder over the years, but you're not sure why? If so, it helps to know the following reasons that it could be happening to you.

Unlevel Compressor 

Your air conditioner needs to be on a completely level surface in order to operate. A common problem of air conditioner noise is an unlevel AC that is causing the oil to not circulate through the system properly. This can cause metal to start rubbing against metal, which causes a sound that is hard to ignore. Having the AC installed on a solid block of concrete will help prevent the unit from sinking further into the ground and becoming unlevel again. 

Loose Screws On Fan Blade Cover

The vibration of the fan can cause screws to come loose over time, especially those holding the cover on the fan blade compartment. Make sure that these screws are tight so that the cover is not vibrating while resting on the metal compressor unit. 

Out Of Alignment Scroll Compressor

Modern air conditions use a different type of compressor that uses scroll technology. This type of compressor is a bit different than compressors in the past, but it can cause a clunking sound whenever the compressor is being used. It is possible for the compressor to become out of alignment, which will require an HVAC technician to fix it for you. Thankfully, this is a problem that can be fixed rather than require a complete replacement of the scroll compressor. 

Damaged Condenser Fan Motor

Do you have a high-pitched squealing noise coming from the outdoor compressor? This could be due to a damaged fan motor. There are ball bearings within the motor that are in a sealed component, which also need lubrication in order for it to work. Since the part is sealed, you will need to replace the entire fan motor in order to make the squealing sound go away. 

Damaged Contactor

Every air conditioner has a contactor that receives a low voltage signal from the thermostat, which tells the air conditioner to turn on and off. Over time, the contactor can become damaged and start creating a loud buzzing sound. It's not a very loud sound, but it's loud enough to make you concerned that something is wrong with your air conditioner and that it needs to be repaired. Not fixing this part can eventually lead to it failing, which will require emergency service to get the air conditioner running again.

If you notice unusual sounds coming from your AC, reach out to a professional who provides air conditioning repair services.