Among the various devices in a modern home, an air conditioner is one of the must-haves to ensure a comfortable and stress-free living environment.
Before, ventilation units were bulky and produced a lot of unpleasant noise. Luckily, air conditioning systems have evolved over the years. Today, most are built with technology that allows them to operate with minimal noise levels. Hence, if your air conditioner has been running smoothly for years and suddenly begins to sound louder than usual, it may be a cause for concern.
Once you start hearing unusual noises from a normally quiet Daikin ducted air conditioning unit and other models, it’s advised to not disregard it. Generally, the problem might only require a basic tune-up, or it might mean that your unit requires major repairs. Repairs are often more expensive than purchasing a new unit. Regardless of the situation, ignoring any unusual sounds will not help your situation.
The longer you allow the noise to continue without giving it attention, the greater the likelihood of the repairs blowing a larger hole into your pockets. With this in mind, take action to have your unit inspected and fixed by a professional right away.
Below are some of the various noises your unit can produce and their likely causes. Continue reading to learn more.
1. Worn Out Or Damaged Belt
A squealing or high-pitched noise from your air conditioning unit can be alarming, one reason for this is a worn-out or damaged belt. In most cases, it’s more frequent among central air conditioning or ducted air conditioning systems. The belt that connects the motor and the fan on older models will wear out or become damaged over time.
Due to the high humidity level in the summer, the belt contracts and expands in some cases, resulting in unusual noises from the unit. Once you notice your unit producing squealing sounds, get in touch with an experienced and licensed heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) technician to carry out an inspection and decide whether to repair or replace the belt.
Non-application of the appropriate repair methods may force you to replace your unit entirely.
2. Loose Screws
Generally, both the interior and exterior units of an air conditioning unit vibrate continuously during use. The constant vibration will result in the screws getting undone in the long run. Most homeowners are likely to experience rattling or banging noise from their air conditioning unit because of this. In most cases, you can handle the repair yourself by using a screwdriver to secure the screws in place.
3. Lax Coil Or Fan Blade
When your air conditioner starts making loud, rhythmic throbbing sounds, it’s a sign that something is wrong and needs to be fixed. In most cases, the noise might originate from the loose coil or fan blade, which can happen over time. You can deal with this issue by tightening the screws attached to the fan blade and coil as well.
4. Leaking Refrigerant
Have you noticed a hissing sound coming from your air conditioning unit lately? There are various causes for it. One of the common reasons for the hissing sound is a leaking refrigerant.
Most of the time, the refrigerant might leak due to damage to the refrigerant line. Gradually, the lines can start to wear out and result in leakage. If you suspect this is the cause of the hissing noise in your unit, call a professional to fix this air conditioning problem properly.
5. The Buildup Of Excessive Moisture In Your Unit
You’re likely to hear bubbling sounds from your air conditioning unit if there’s a significant moisture accumulation brewing inside.
If the condensate drain line is blocked or obstructed, moisture can accumulate. The aforementioned line is in charge of removing the moisture that your unit collects from your home. The water makes a distinctive bubbling and gurgling sound because it can’t escape the line.
The same issue is likely to occur if there’s damage to the condensate pump. It’s responsible for driving water from the drain pan to the condensate line, where it leaves your home. An excessive buildup of moisture in the pump can result in bubbling sounds.
Disassembling the air conditioning unit is one solution you could try, but if you don’t have the skills to perform it, hiring a professional to do it for you is a much better option.
6. Leak In The Ductwork Of The Air Conditioner
If your central air conditioning system has a leaking duct, it’s likely to generate a noise that strikingly resembles whistling. The best approach is to ensure all the ductwork is sealed when dealing with this issue. Aside from the distracting noise, leaks in the ductwork can result in energy inefficiency, leading to a skyrocketing utility bill.
7. Blockage Or Obstruction In The Fans
Clicking sounds coming from the outdoor unit indicate a blockage or obstruction in the fans that you need to remove. If you want to stop the clicking noise, remove the outdoor unit’s cover and clean the fans to remove debris.
Final Thoughts
When your home’s air conditioning unit begins to behave erratically by making unusual noises, there may be a problem that remains to be remedied. It could be minor, like a loose fan blade or too much debris, but it could also be more severe, like a leaking refrigerant or a worn-out belt.
Whatever the cause of the unusual noises in your air conditioning unit, knowing the potential causes and what to do will ensure that your unit is in good working order.
