Why Is My Air Conditioner Making A Noise?

Hearing weird noises when your air conditioner is on? There’s probably something wrong with your unit. If you ignore it, it could lead to major—and expensive—issues eventually. We’re going to help you understand what’s going on with your air conditioner and what you can do to fix it. 

8 Common Air Conditioning Noises 

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

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

Should I keep running my AC 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 almost impossible to answer this question without examining your system. 

Most of the time, we recommend shutting off the unit off and bringing in a professional. 

When should I do something about the noise? 

We recommend calling a professional as soon as you think there’s something wrong with your air conditioner. While AC repairs can be stressful and an unexpected cost, it’s best to get problems fixed right away. Contacting a professional could help minimize 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.