Summer is almost here and you’re probably looking forward to longer days, sunshine, warm weather, and barbecues. The last thing you want to interrupt the summer fun is having to schedule air conditioning repair. That’s why it’s important to know the earliest signs that your AC needs a check-up.
Luckily, your AC will let you know when it needs some help. How does it let you know? By making a lot of noise. Any sounds that are out of the ordinary or that are extremely loud and noticeable are signs that your AC should be looked at by a professional HVAC technician. Let’s discuss those noises and what they mean.
Grinding or Metal-On-Metal Noises
This is the unmistakable sound of grating, grinding noises that can be particularly unpleasant. Just like with any complex piece of machinery, lubrication between the moving parts is essential to its function. These sounds could indicate that there’s a lack of lubrication.
This can happen in ACs that haven’t been maintained well. Checking this is a part of the tune-up process and when it’s left unchecked, dirt and grime get into the system. This causes the lubrication to dry up, leading to friction between moving parts.
Hissing or Bubbling Noises
These sounds usually are related to the AC’s refrigerant. This is the chemical substance in your AC that’s responsible for the cooling process. An AC has exactly the amount of refrigerant it’ll ever need in its lifetime unless a leak develops somewhere that causes the refrigerant to leak.
You’ll hear hissing or bubbling depending on where the leak is. Bubbling noises result when the leak is in the part of the line where the refrigerant is still in liquid form and hissing occurs when the refrigerant is still in a gaseous state. Refrigerant is hazardous to your health so be sure to call us right away if you’re hearing these sounds.
Clicking Noises
Clicking noises are normal when they occur as the system starts up and cycles down. It’s when the noise is persistent that it becomes problematic. This sound could be coming from defective electrical components such as the thermostat’s inability to connect with the AC.
Clicking also occurs as a result of “hard starting.” An air conditioner is hard starting when the compressor struggles to power on. This means it’s having a hard time powering up the compressor and needs repairs ASAP.
Rattling, Clanging, and Banging
A rattling noise usually means a metal part has come loose, is trapped, and is hitting other parts. This is an easy fix for a technician, but it can also be a sign of something more serious.
There could be loose components that are being knocked around in the blower fan. The air handler or the fan blades could be bent and are hitting the inside of the AC.
Whatever sounds your AC is making, it’s always best to get them checked out. You don’t want a minor repair to blow up into a major problem, interrupting not just your summer fun but your comfort levels.
Contact Peatson’s Heating and Air Conditioning Ltd. for reliable AC repair in Vaughan, ON.