Why Is My Air Conditioner Making A Noise?

Hearing odd noises when your air conditioner is working? There’s likely something wrong with your unit. If you ignore it, it could lead to major—and expensive—issues eventually. We’re going to help you figure out what’s going on with your air conditioner and what you can do to change it. 

8 Common Air Conditioning Noises 

• Gurgling – Gurgling normally indicates a problem with your refrigerant line. If you can’t pinpoint where the noise is coming from, that’s alright. A technician can help determine where this noise is occurring.
• Crackling – Crackling could be due to debris in the unit or aging ductwork. Debris in the outdoor unit will cause a noise outside your house. Old ductwork can cause noise inside your house.
• Hissing – Hissing sounds coming from your AC can be caused by a leaky refrigerant line, an internal valve leak or the compressor.
• Buzzing – Buzzing is likely an electrical issue.
• Clicking – Clicking can mean 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 indicate an issue with your compressor, damper, fan or air handler.
• Humming – Humming can be related to fan motor issues or a damaged relay switch. Read through our humming noise guide for more information. 

You can find additional information about prevalent air conditioning issues on energy.gov 

Should I keep running my air conditioner when it’s making a noise? 

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

In most cases, we recommend shutting off the unit off and contacting a professional. 

When should I do something about the noise? 

We recommend calling a professional as soon as you think there’s a problem with your system. While AC repairs can be stressful and an unexpected expense, it’s best to get problems corrected right away. Contacting a professional could help reduce 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.