Modern air conditioning systems are much quieter than older systems. Nonetheless, you’ll generally always be able to hear some noise in various parts of your house when your AC is running. Hearing your AC turn on and run isn’t something to worry about unless you suddenly notice that it’s making a lot more noise than usual or you hear unusual sounds coming from the indoor or outdoor part of the system.
Failing or Malfunctioning Blower
If your air conditioning starts making much more noise than usual, the first thing to do is determine whether the excessive noise is coming from the inside or outdoor part of the system. The blower that circulates air around your house can be fairly loud since the noise of its motor running essentially echoes throughout your ductwork. You’ll always hear the blower running in the more central parts of your home where your return vents are located, but it should be less noisy in the rooms that are furthest away from your air handler.
If you notice that the blower is running louder than usual, it often indicates that it is having to work harder to move air around your house for some reason. One common issue that occurs if you don’t have your HVAC system maintained regularly is that the “squirrel cage” surrounding the blower ends up getting caked with a thick layer of dust. This can sometimes cause the blower to work harder, leading to it running more loudly. More commonly though, the issue indicates that the blower motor is beginning to wear out and needs to be replaced or that it needs to be repaired.
A loud rattling or grinding noise coming from the air handler inside your house almost always indicates an issue with the blower as well. In this case, the issue is usually that the blower has started to come loose and is no longer properly balanced. The blower will usually end up running loudly when it’s not balanced, but sometimes it can get so loose that it vibrates and rattles or starts scraping against the housing.
Dirty Air Filter
A dirty, clogged air filter can also easily result in your blower making more noise and your AC being louder than usual since it causes the blower to struggle with drawing sufficient air in. This is one of the many reasons why you need to make sure you’re checking the air filter regularly and replacing it at least every two or three months. Failing to replace the air filter often enough will also greatly decrease AC efficiency and lead to issues with the system. Over time, your AC will also be at greater risk of experiencing breakdowns and needing repairs if you don’t replace the filter often enough, and the lifespan of your AC will likely be shorter as well.
Air Duct Issues
Your air ducts can also develop various issues that cause your AC to run loudly. For instance, air leaks can result in your ducts making a loud whistling sound as your air conditioning runs. If any of the ducts have started to come loose and are no longer tightly secured to the floor joists or wall studs, they’ll usually end up vibrating and rattling quite a bit.
If your HVAC system doesn’t have sufficiently sized return air ducts, it will also typically result in the blower being excessively loud. Unfortunately, the only solution in this situation is to replace your ducts, which will also improve the efficiency of your HVAC and allow it to perform far more effectively.
Another issue that often plagues larger homes is that the ductwork isn’t properly insulated. A larger home often needs a 4- to 5-ton AC unit, and this size of unit requires a much more powerful blower that makes a lot more noise. Insulating the ducts helps to deaden the noise so that the HVAC system runs more quietly. In many cases, the only ducts that need to be fully insulated are those that run through unconditioned areas like the attic and/or crawlspace. However, if you have a larger AC system, sometimes, the only way to keep it from being unbearably loud is to at least insulate the ducts that are closest to the blower and air handler.
Worn-Out Bearings
Unless your AC is quite old, the compressor motor, condenser fan motor and blower motor are all driven by bearings. Older systems instead have belt-driven motors just like the motor in many cars. If you hear any of the motors running loudly or making a squealing or screeching sound, it most likely means that the bearings that drive the motor have started to wear out and need to be replaced. Some systems also have unsealed bearings that need to be lubricated regularly to continue working properly and will start squealing if not lubricated. This type of squealing or screeching sound is absolutely not something you should ignore. Replacing or re-oiling the bearings is a simple, fairly inexpensive job. If the bearings fully wear out, the motor will likely end up burning out, and you’ll end up facing a much more expensive repair.
Failing Compressor
The compressor in your AC condenser unit is basically the heart of your air conditioning system. It works to both pump the refrigerant throughout the system and compress the refrigerant so that the system can release the heat it removed from inside your house. If you notice that the condenser outside your house is making much more noise or producing a loud humming sound, it’s a sign that the compressor is on its last legs and it will soon be time for an AC replacement. The condenser fan motor in the outdoor unit can also have the same issues if it’s starting to wear out. Luckily, this motor can be replaced fairly easily without you needing to replace the entire unit. A failing compressor can also be replaced, but doing so is extremely expensive and generally only makes sense if your condenser is fairly new and should last for quite a few more years.
Electrical Issues
Another thing you should never ignore is if you hear a loud buzzing sound coming from your air handler or the condenser outside your house. A buzzing sound is usually a sign of some type of electrical issue, which is something you want to get fixed immediately before trying to run your air conditioning again. The reason that it’s an immediate concern is that electrical issues can lead to a fire or cause a short circuit that can do severe damage to various parts of your AC system as well as possibly damaging your home’s wiring.
The experienced technicians at Childers Air Plumbing & Electric are ready to help if your AC is running loudly or has any other issues. We service and repair all makes and models and can handle all of your repair, maintenance and installation needs. With over 70 years of experience, we’re also the most trusted source in the Beckley area for heating, electrical and plumbing. We also offer comprehensive indoor air quality services. Whether you need to have your AC inspected or want to schedule any other home service, like air conditioner repair, contact our team today.
