As a St. Louis homeowner, you are probably somewhat comforted by the familiar sounds you hear within your home: the ticking of the clock, the creaking sound of the floorboards, and the distant hum of your air conditioner.
Unfortunately, not all sounds that your air conditioning system makes are familiar and comforting; some might even cause you alarm. These noises depend on a lot of factors, such as the age of your air conditioning system and whether or not it undergoes regular air conditioner maintenance.
There will be instances when you may notice your air conditioning system making strange noises—some are normal, while some are not. So how do you know when it is time to call in a contractor, and when to ignore the sound?
Common Air Conditioning System Sounds
Here are the most common sounds that an air conditioning system makes:
- A gentle hum at the start of its operation. This is normal especially if your air conditioning system has been sitting idle for the past cold months. Monitor the duration of the noise—this usually lasts for just a couple of minutes. If it is longer than this, then you should investigate the issue further.
- A loud thump on the exterior unit. This could be due to a fallen tree branch or other fallen yard debris. While the exterior parts of the unit is housed inside a protective grate, smaller debris can get through. This can produce a loud rattle and obstruct the unit’s performance. Turn off the unit, go outside, and remove the obstruction.
- A loud hiss. If the hissing noise is coming out of the outdoor portion of your air conditioning system, this could be caused by a refrigerant leak. Under normal circumstances, the refrigerant travels inside a closed system but if there is a puncture, it will leak out and produce a hissing sound. On the other hand, if the hissing noise comes from a vent, then it is possible you have a problem with your ductwork. In this case, you need to hire a professional HVAC company to conduct a ductwork evaluation.
- A loud banging noise. There are many reasons why this sound will occur. It could be due to something as simple as a bent fan blade, a missing screw, or a loosened belt. It could also be complicated as a broken compressor. This kind of noise is hard to diagnose on your own, so it is best to consult with an HVAC professional who is more familiar with the workings of your air conditioning system.
- A rattling noise. If your air conditioner is making a rattling noise, there could be an issue with the blower fan or the blower motor. If you hear this noise from your unit and it simply will not go away, contact your HVAC company for a service call.
Have Your Air Conditioning System Checked by Our Professionals
If you suspect that the sounds coming from your air conditioning system are unusual, do not hesitate to contact the professionals at your local HVAC company to investigate. In St. Louis, call us now at 314-993-1110 and a heating and air conditioning expert will show up at your door to help you resolve the strange noises coming from your air conditioning system!
