Are There Ghosts Haunting the House, or Does the AC Need Repairs?
Houses can make some pretty spooky sounds sometimes. While many scary sounds are simply shrugged off as “the house settling,” there are specific reasons for all of them. From the sound of expanding pipes to the noise of a door being pulled closed when the air conditioner kicks on, there’s a reason for the spooky sounds in a home. However, two different things are knowing that there’s a reason for them and knowing whether something needs to be done to address these issues. That’s why this blog post is dedicated to discussing common haunting sounds that are actually the air conditioner — and what to do about them.
Clanging and Banging
Clanging and banging are two common sounds commonly associated with ghosts and goblins, especially during Halloween. These sounds are commonly heard in the outdoor unit, and they can mean a few different things. Since the condenser unit is outside, there’s always the possibility that something fell inside the unit and is banging around while the unit operates, causing the clanging and banging sound.
Other times, a banging and clanging sound can be caused by loose parts. This may be a loose fan or even a loose motor. If it’s a loose fan, it could be hitting another part of the unit, causing a steady banging noise that needs to be fixed sooner rather than later.
Scraping and Grinding
Scraping and grinding sounds are also fairly commonplace when something is wrong with the air conditioner. These sounds can be scary at first, but they’re usually caused by one of two things: a belt or a compressor. When a belt comes loose, it drags against other components in the air conditioner, which can cause a grinding sound. The same thing can happen if a belt is damaged.
If the compressor causes the grinding sound, it’s a good chance that the pistons inside the compressor are worn out. This is never a good sign, but it’s hard to tell what’s causing the sound without the help of a professional HVAC technician. If a grinding sound from a compressor continues, it could require air conditioner replacement instead of a simple repair.
Hissing or Whistling
Last on the list of haunting AC sounds is hissing, sometimes described as whistling. A refrigerant leak most often causes this. However, it’s important to remember that a short-lived whistling sound when the AC unit first kicks on is not usually an issue. It’s the longer, persistent whistling noises that may mean a refrigerant leak. Leaks can only worsen, and a professional HVAC service company will need to check to see if it is a leak causing the noise.
No matter what kind of strange sounds homeowners experience from their air conditioner, it’s always a good idea to involve an AC professional. Preventing these issues is always best, and is one of the main benefits of regular HVAC maintenance.
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Air Now is proud to serve Sarasota, FL and has been handling everything AC-related since 1946. They offer 24/7 service performed by AC professionals. They also provide no-surprise service and never charge additional fees for after-hours calls. Call now for AC service!
