Although today’s manufacturers make air conditioners with many advanced features, they have yet to design one with a perfect self-diagnosing computer that can immediately identify when they need repair and report it to homeowners. You still need to watch out for clues that your AC has developed a malfunction. Fortunately, many repair problems in an air conditioner will create a distinct and unusual sound, and you can use these noises to figure out that you need to call for professional HVAC technicians.
We’ve put together a list of some of the more common noises that malfunctioning air conditioners can make and what they might mean. You shouldn’t use this information to attempt the repair work on your own, however. Call Malek Heating & Cooling—any time of the day or night—when you require skilled air conditioning repair in Northbrook, IL. We will send a technician to your home to track that strange noise to its source and then handle the repair work.
Some Repair Warning Noises to Listen For
- Hissing: This sound like a high-pressure gas escaping from a nozzle probably means that there is a refrigerant leak somewhere in the AC. Loss of refrigerant charge will lead to an air conditioner that cannot maintain its proper cooling level, and it may eventually cause irreparable damage to the compressor. Repair technicians will locate and seal the leak, then recharge the refrigerant to its regular level.
- Grinding, groaning: These mechanical noises are often indicators that one or more of the motors in the system is wearing down from excess stress. This can happen because of loss of lubrication or dirt accumulating across the moving parts. Technicians can attempt to repair the motor, or in the case of a burnt-out motor, replace it.
- Clicking: If you hear a clicking sound as the AC tries to start, you may have dying capacitors. The capacitors store and send charge to the motors to start them running and keep them running. When capacitors start to fail, the air conditioner will “hard start” and drain excess power. Technicians will replace the bad capacitors or install a hard-start kit to overcome the problem.
- Clanging, striking: This often points toward a damaged fan. Bent fan blades will cause the fan to begin striking its outer casing, and this can lead to the damage spreading. For older air conditioners, this may indicate a snapped fan belt. (Newer ACs use direct motors instead of fan belts.)
Whatever the reason for the strange sounds, don’t let a noisy air conditioner continue to run: the problem will worsen and cause a chain reaction of other malfunctions, and the AC will drain money. Call for repairs right away.
Since 1998, the people at Malek Heating & Cooling have delivered air conditioning repair in Northbrook, IL and the rest of the Chicagoland area with fast and effective service for their ACs. Make us your first call when you hear those strange sounds rattling around inside your cooling system.
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Tags: Air Conditioning Repair, Northbrook
Posted in Air Conditioning | Comments Off on How Strange Noises Alert You to Air Conditioning Repair Needs
August is often the hottest, most grueling month of the summer—and it’s a time when many air conditioning systems will start to experience malfunctions because of all the stress that’s been put on them. This is a good time to go over a list of the most common AC problems that can crop up, because this is when you’re most likely to run into one of them and have your comfort put in jeopardy!