Why Is My Air Conditioner Making A Noise?

Hearing odd noises when your air conditioner is working? There’s a strong probability there’s something wrong with your unit. If you don’t fix it, it could lead to significant—and expensive—troubles eventually. We’re going to help you figure out what’s happening with your air conditioner and what you can do to change it. 

8 Common Air Conditioning Noises 

  • Gurgling – Gurgling usually indicates an issue with your refrigerant line. If you can’t identify where the noise is coming from, that’s alright. A technician can help verify where this noise is occurring.
  • Crackling – Crackling could come from debris in the unit or aging ductwork. Debris in the outdoor unit will cause a noise outside your house. Old ductwork can cause noise inside your house.
  • Hissing – Hissing sounds coming from your AC can be created by a damanged refrigerant line, an internal valve leak or the compressor.
  • Buzzing – Buzzing is no doubt an electrical issue.
  • Clicking – Clicking can mean you have a loose part or that the fan is misaligned.
  • Pulsating – Pulsating can come from a loose part.
  • Loud Noise – A loud noise from your external unit can mean 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 more information about frequent air conditioning problems on energy.gov 

Should I keep running my AC when it’s making a noise? 

There are a few 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 inspecting your system. 

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

When should I do something about the noise? 

We recommend calling a professional as soon as you think there’s an issue with your unit. While AC repairs can be stressful and an unexpected spend, it’s smart to get problems fixed right away. Contacting a professional could help lower 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.