Why Is My Air Conditioner Making A Noise?

Hearing weird noises when your air conditioner is on? There’s likely something wrong with your system. If you don’t fix it, it could lead to extensive—and expensive—issues eventually. We’re going to help you understand what’s occurring with your air conditioner and what you can do to change it. 

8 Common Air Conditioning Noises 

  • Gurgling – Gurgling usually indicates a complication with your refrigerant line. If you can’t determine where the noise is emanating from, that’s alright. An expert can help find out where this noise is occurring.
  • Crackling – Crackling could come from debris in the unit or aging ductwork. Debris in the outdoor unit will create a noise outside your house. Mature ductwork can create noise inside your house.
  • Hissing – Hissing sounds coming from your AC can be created by a leaky refrigerant line, an internal valve leak or the compressor.
  • Buzzing – Buzzing is likely an electrical issue.
  • Clicking – Clicking can hint you have a loose part or that the fan is misaligned.
  • Pulsating – Pulsating can be caused by a loose part.
  • Loud Noise – A noticeable noise from your outdoor unit can signal an issue with your compressor, damper, fan or air handler.
  • Humming – Humming can be related to fan motor issues or a broken relay switch. Read through our humming noise guide for more information. 

You can find more information about frequent air conditioning problems on energy.gov 

Should I keep using my system when it’s making a noise? 

There are some cases where you can continue to run your AC, but you do so at your own risk. It’s hard to answer this question without inspecting your system. 

Most of the time, we recommend turning the unit off and calling a professional. 

When should I do something about the noise? 

We recommend calling a professional as soon as you suspect there’s an issue with your unit. While AC repairs can be stressful and an unexpected expense, it’s best to get problems fixed right away. Contacting a professional could help lower future expenses and keep your system running longer. 

Not sure if your air conditioner is making any of these noises? Please schedule online for a free, in-home consultation.