As the winter is subsiding and we’re transitioning to spring, you might be thrilled to leave all of the high heating bills behind. Now might be the time to start thinking about your AC.
Yes, it might feel a bit too early in the year to think about the air conditioning – that’s a topic for the summer heat. However, if there is an issue with your AC, would you rather discover it now, have it fixed and dealt with, or in the middle of summer, with 100-degree weather?
Test running your AC might be a good idea. And if you come across something off, you can always call a HVAC technician – and they will answer quickly, because this is not the peak season for them. When it comes to HVAC issues that you can easily establish on your own – weird noises are at the top of the list for most people. Our friends at Howell’s Heating & Air share some of the most common reasons why your AC might be making strange noises and what to do about it.
Electrical Buzzing Noise
If you hear this noise, chances are that the problem is electrical. In those kinds of situations, the best thing to do is to turn everything immediately. Try turning everything back on, and if the noise repeats, shut everything down again, and consult a professional.
The issue might be minor, such as an electrical short or a problem caused by a power surge, but it could also be serious and require repairs to your AC or your electrical grid.
Mechanical Grinding Noise
There’s probably nothing more jarring than hearing a grinding noise when you turn on your AC and expect a light whoosh of air. Fortunately, the problem is mechanical, meaning that a qualified mechanic should be able to isolate and repair the problem relatively easily.
If you want to know what the problem is before you consult an expert, here are the most common issues that sound like this. The most likely issue is the faulty compressor. The pistons of your AC’s compressor wear out over time and after a while, they can start grinding against their casings – causing quite a jarring sound.
Lighter Grinding Noise
If you do hear a grinding noise, don’t immediately assume the worst, that your compressor is at fault. There are other issues that can cause the same noise. For instance, if there is a part loose somewhere inside the AC.
With several moving parts in your AC, there are more things that can go wrong and cause more serious problems. The most likely thing to slip off is the belt connected to the blower fan. A fan slipping off is pretty innocuous compared to a damaged compressor, but if not handled quickly, it can cause more problems down the line.
Loud Banging Noise
Finally, if you hear banging noises coming from inside your AC, your first instinct might be that it is a serious issue. And while you will need to address the problem, this is not as a complicated problem as it sounds. And the sound can get pretty loud.
However, the problem is really just the fan blades catching another part of the AC interior. The solution is simple – straightening and tightening the fan should resolve the issue quickly. Similarly, the blower when the fan might also be at fault, but it’s nothing an experienced HVAC technician cannot handle.
Finding out that your AC is malfunctioning is never fun, but knowing how to approach the problem is a valuable skill. Still, make sure to always call in the professionals if you aren’t sure you know what you are doing.
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