Do You Hear Banging or Other Strange Noises From Your AC?

It’s not uncommon for an air conditioner to be associated with noise — the clicks of your thermostat, the subtle shift of fans for a moment as the power draw of your home changes, the expansion and contraction of ducts getting warmer and cooler — but when new noises arise, savvy homeowners pay attention.

Let’s look at what those new noises might mean and what you should do about them.

Common Causes of a Banging Noise in Your AC

There are countless potential causes of banging noises from your air conditioner, but in most cases, you can expect the answer to come down to:

• Parts that have come loose or broken in the fan assembly or other moving parts
• Damaged or loose fan blades striking other parts of the AC
• Loose mounts for the motor or other components, allowing knocking or vibrations

Other Strange Noises To Watch Out For & What They Mean

Of course, banging is only one of the sounds you might hear from your air conditioner. You might also want to listen for these quieter noises that can indicate problems just as bad or worse:

• Buzzing is always a concern, as it often means a potentially dangerous electrical problem, including shorts or failing capacitors.
• Hissing is worrisome, as it often means a refrigerant leak, which will gradually (or quickly, with a bad enough leak) cause your system to grow inefficient and ineffective.
• Constant clicking or rattling could suggest something loose in your AC getting knocked around, a fault in your thermostat, or any number of other issues causing your AC to try to turn on and off frequently.

When To Call a Professional HVAC Technician

If a problem is resolved quickly and doesn’t come back, you probably don’t need an HVAC technician, but if you hear particularly loud noises or have noises that never go away, call a professional for same day AC repair.

Of course, you should call immediately if you notice other problems along with the noise, such as a failure of your system to cool your home properly.

If the noise is accompanied by unusual smells or circuit breakers tripping, you shouldn’t wait to schedule a service, as this could indicate serious ongoing damage or electrical hazards.

How To Prevent AC Noises

Most of the problems that lead to a noisy air conditioner are mechanical issues that routine AC maintenance targets.

DIY maintenance, such as cleaning your outdoor unit to prevent leaves, sticks, and vegetation from obstructing it, can also help prevent problems.

You also need professional tune-ups, ideally at least once a year in the spring. By having a professional tighten connections, lubricate moving parts, and replace aging components, you can avoid these issues and ensure that all your other parts wear down slower, reducing costs over time.

This is also why it’s important to handle repairs promptly; the longer an issue is unresolved, the more strain it can put on the rest of the system, creating problems for the future, like premature AC replacement.

The Risks of Ignoring Strange AC Noises

Ignoring any new behavior from your air conditioner is a good way to find yourself facing a big repair bill that could have been avoided. That loose screw that’s making your fan bang can become a destroyed fan or burnt-out motor over months and can reduce your AC’s lifespan by making every part work overtime.

And that’s before considering more immediately dangerous noises, like buzzing, that could lead to catastrophic results like an electrical fire. Take action when you notice a problem so you can have total peace of mind.

Get Help With AC Noises in Baltimore

If you live in the Baltimore area and your air conditioner is making new noises, don’t hesitate to contact the experienced HVAC technicians at Len The Plumber Heating & Air.

We provide 24/7 emergency repairs, sending experienced technicians with fully stocked trucks to ensure the fastest possible solution to your problems. We guarantee excellent results, completely transparent upfront pricing with no surprise fees, and respectful customer service from beginning to end.

Contact Len The Plumber Heating & Air today to request an air conditioning repair for your Baltimore-area home.