If your air conditioner is humming, it may mean there is an electrical or mechanical problem. Take steps now to identify the issue with your air conditioner.
Potential causes of your cooling system’s humming may include:
- The condenser fan motor on the unit could be unable to spin but is still connected to power, creating resistance that leads to a pronounced—and often loud—humming sound.
- There could be a mechanical or electrical [malfunction|failure|breakdown]9] with the contractor relay switch, which is responsible for starting the outside unit when the indoor temperature arrives at the level where cooling is required. When the contractor fails, it can produce a humming sound. The switch can be found in the exterior condenser unit outside your home.
- The circuit breaker is overloaded - normally, your circuit breaker trips when it becomes overloaded. However, if the circuit breaker is malfunctioning and can’t, you can hear an electrical humming noise.
- Ice on condenser - if your unit freezes over, this can cause a loud humming or buzzing noise. If your air conditioner is frozen, there are a handful of other likely causes such as a refrigerant leak, clogged air filter or faulty blower motor. A broken blower motor will sometimes create a humming or buzzing noise, and is located in your furnace. If the furnace is located near the exterior condenser, you may mistake the source of the humming noise. With the AC running, determine if the humming or buzzing is louder near the exterior condenser unit or the furnace.
- The AC Condenser Fan Motor is damaged - similar to the blower motor failing, a broken condenser fan motor can also make a humming noise when it malfunctions. If the indoor blower is on but the fan is not turning, your fan motor may emit a loud buzz. Some people perceive this sound as more of a hum than a buzz. There can be different causes for a failure of this component including debris reaching the condenser, overgrowth surrounding the unit, loose parts, etc.
- Loose components inside the air conditioner - Your HVAC system is an intricate machine with a lot of moving parts. Over time, it’s possible that a handful of parts broke loose due to typical wear and tear. A loose part can cause premature wear and loud noises, including a humming noise.
- Refrigerant pipes are vibrating - If the refrigerant lines are undercharged, it can cause vibration. This vibration will sometimes sound like a humming noise. There may be other causes for a vibrating refrigerant line, like an improperly mounted expansion valve.
A humming sound is evidence that something inside your air conditioner is off and needs attention. Given the causes above, it’s important to determine where the sound is coming from. Your whole HVAC system is one unit. The air conditioner needs adequate airflow to operate correctly. Air passes through the air filter, and it’s the blower motor (located inside the furnace) that moves air through the entire system to heat or cool your home. If the air filter is clogged, or the blower motor breaks, that can cause issues with your condenser unit located outside the home.
Resolving the AC humming issue does best with a technician to perform a diagnostic assessment on your whole unit. This work should never be attempted by a homeowner, but only by a certified technician. Your HVAC system has hazardous refrigerants running through it that should be carefully handled only by a professional. Electrical components to your system should never be adjusted by a novice due to the danger of electrocution. Homeowners are better served calling an HVAC company to diagnose and repair their system if they notice any odd humming, whirring, or buzzing noises coming from their unit.
If a component like the blower motor is faulty, it may be because your furnace is near the end of its life. The blower motor is not a part that needs to be replaced regularly. Working with Comfortech Service Experts , we will not only diagnose your problem and provide recommendations to resolve things as soon as possible, we’ll also review your HVAC system as a whole. If your unit is better off replaced, we have affordable options with top tier service available through financing. We also have the Advantage program that will get you a new system for a low monthly rate.