Pasadena A/C: 5 Air Conditioner Sounds Your System Should Never Make

Pasadena A/C: 5 Air Conditioner Sounds Your System Should Never Make

When your air conditioner runs well, you’ll notice a steady, familiar hum. But if you hear strange or loud sounds, your system may be in trouble. Unusual AC noises are often early warnings of bigger problems. Knowing what to listen for—and when to call Air-Tro—can save you from costly repairs.

How Normal AC Sounds Differ From Warning Noises

A well-maintained air conditioner makes soft running noises you quickly get used to. Warning sounds are different. They are loud, harsh, or unusual. If you notice any of the noises below, it’s time to act.

Rattling, Thumping or Clanking

If the sound is coming from the indoor air handler unit, a loose or misaligned blower assembly may be the cause. If you’re hearing this type of noise at the outdoor unit, it’s likely that a fan blade, motor mount or other hardware item has worked itself loose. Having the culprit identified and secured by your HVAC pro before it gets worse can prevent serious harm to adjacent components.

Squealing

A quick squeal at startup isn’t unusual. But if the squealing continues, the fan belt may be worn or out of place. If the belt breaks, the blower fan will stop. Call your HVAC technician to fix the problem before it gets worse.

Bubbling or Gurgling

These distinctive sounds coming from the refrigerant lines or compressor indicate a refrigerant leak that should be located and repaired without delay to prevent a loss of cooling capacity and costly equipment damage.

Buzzing

If you’re hearing a buzzing noise but you can’t determine exactly where it’s coming from, it may be an electrical issue that poses a serious risk of fire. Possible causes can be a fault in the thermostat, electrical contacts, a compressor relay or circuit breaker that should be investigated immediately to ensure the A/C’s safe operation.

Hissing or Screaming

If you hear high pitched noises like these coming from the outdoor unit, shut down the air conditioner at the breaker and call for help right away. This type of noise typically points to a hazardous high pressure build up inside the unit that needs immediate attention.

If you’re hearing unsettling air conditioner sounds and need expert help, contact the pros at Air-Tro, Inc. We’ve served the home comfort needs of the Pasadena area since 1969.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the greater Pasadena, California area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).

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