Why Is My Air Conditioner So Loud?

Air conditioners are wonderful for those days in Forney TX and the surrounding areas when all you can think about is the heat. They can make your home bearable when you want to hide inside, close all the curtains, and pretend like you live somewhere cooler. But, unfortunately, they can also be noisy.

Picture this scenario: you are sitting in your yard enjoying a nice cold drink in the shade when all of a sudden your AC roars to life. When it kicks on, Instead of hearing the calming sounds of the birds or the rustling of the wind through the leaves of your oak tree, you hear what sounds like a jet engine just feet away from where you’re sitting. If you’re lucky, the only person that will be annoyed is yourself. If you’re not lucky, you might have the HOA knocking on your door or a nasty note from the next-door neighbor demanding you do something about the noise outside.

At Premier HVAC Services, we have the answer for why your air conditioner is so loud as well as a few tips for how to quiet a noisy AC.

Why Is My Air Conditioner So Loud?

Much of the noise that comes from air conditioners is there because something needs to be fixed in your system. An HVAC tech can help you find out why your air conditioner is so loud. We’ll go through a couple of the sounds you might hear and what they mean for your system.

Banging or Clunking Sounds

A banging sound coming from outside is usually the result of a loud AC compressor. If your air conditioner compressor makes a loud noise when starting, it will end to be replaced. A loud AC compressor isn’t the only cause of loud bangs and clunks, however. The sound also might be coming from a faulty blower motor or even something trapped in your ducts.

Squeaking and Squealing Sounds

There are a lot of moving parts in your AC. and when they start to get worn out or the motor isn’t lubricated properly, you might notice squeaking or squealing sounds. These problems should be fixed as quickly as possible since they can lead to more serious breakdowns.

Rattling Sounds

Rattling sounds that are louder than normal usually come from loose parts. Your air duct may need repairs or a few screws might need to be tightened somewhere in the system. You shouldn’t ignore these sounds since they can mean that something is failing in your AC.

Hissing Sounds

Unless a snake has climbed in through the window and slithered into your AC (we hope not), a hissing sound could mean that there is a refrigerant leak. Refrigerant can be almost as dangerous as a snake in the ductwork because it’s harmful to people and animals. A hissing sound means you should be calling an HVAC technician as soon as you can.

Whistling or Screaming Sounds

The refrigerant is supposed to be pressurized by the compressor every time it makes its cycle through the system. But if you hear a whistling or screaming sound, pressure may be building up too high. It’s not worth the risk, so call right away if you hear this sound. If the whistling is coming from your vents and sounds more like wind through an unsealed window, it might just be holes in the ductwork that are letting a little bit of air out. 

Why Is My New AC Loud Inside?

If your air conditioner is noisy right out of the box, it could be that your AC wasn’t installed right, to begin with, or the technician didn’t take the time to test the system out while you were there with them. It might even be a problem with your ductwork. When our team at Premier HVAC Services installs an AC unit, we make sure that you’re happy with the noise levels inside your home before we leave. If you’re already dealing with a noisy AC, you can have someone take a look at it and fix the problem.

What To Do When Your Air Conditioner is So Loud

If your air conditioner is so loud that it’s starting to bother you and the neighbors, the best thing you can do is repair your air conditioner. After that, annual maintenance appointments can help to keep noisy problems from returning. Another tip is to make sure you purchase an AC with lower sound levels and have a technician properly insulate and soundproof it to keep sound levels lower. If you already have a noisy AC that doesn’t need any more repairs, you can buy a compressor blanket, plant more bushes around the AC, or even build a fence to keep the sound at bay.

At Premier HVAC Services, Installing quieter systems and making sure you don’t have to live with sound pollution is something we do well. Give us a call today!