Why Is My Air Conditioner Making A Noise?

Hearing odd noises when your air conditioner is on? There’s likely something wrong with your AC. If you ignore it, it could lead to major—and expensive—troubles eventually. We’re going to help you understand what’s going on with your air conditioner and what you can do to correct it. 

8 Common Air Conditioning Noises 

  • Gurgling – Gurgling generally indicates a complication with your refrigerant line. If you can’t determine where the noise is coming from, that’s alright. A technician can help verify where this noise is occurring.
  • Crackling – Crackling could result from debris in the unit or aging ductwork. Debris in the outdoor unit will create a noise outside your house. Aging ductwork can cause noise inside your house.
  • Hissing – Hissing sounds coming from your AC can be caused by a damanged refrigerant line, an internal valve leak or the compressor.
  • Buzzing – Buzzing is no doubt an electrical issue.
  • Clicking – Clicking can indicate you have a loose part or that the fan is misaligned.
  • Pulsating – Pulsating can be caused by a loose part.
  • Loud Noise – A clear noise from your external unit can signal an issue with your compressor, damper, fan or air handler.
  • Humming – Humming can arise from fan motor issues or a damaged relay switch. Check out our humming noise guide for more information. 

You can find further information about prevalent air conditioning issues on energy.gov 

Should I keep operating my air conditioner when it’s making a noise? 

There are some cases where you can continue to run your AC, but you do so at your own risk. It’s difficult to answer this question without looking at your system. 

Most of the time, we recommend shutting off the unit off and calling a professional. 

When should I do something about the noise? 

We recommend calling a professional as soon as you recognize there’s an issue with your system. While AC repairs can be stressful and an unexpected expense, it’s better to get problems fixed right away. Getting a professional could help reduce future expenses and keep your system running longer. 

Not sure if your air conditioner is making any of these noises? Please schedule online for a free, in-home consultation.