One day in the future, consumers may have access to HVAC systems equipped with powerful artificial intelligence programs capable of diagnosing malfunctions early and altering homeowners to the problem—along with instructions of exactly what’s wrong and how to call a technicians to ask for help.
But we’re not quite there yet. Air conditioning systems can’t self-diagnose, but they do have ways of telling homeowners that something has gone amiss so they know to call for professional assistance. HVAC technicians use good old fashioned “organic intelligence,” i.e. their extensive training and experience, to find out what’s wrong and how to fix it. One of the ways air conditioners tell homeowners there’s a problem is unusual sounds from the system.
You can trust to our team of AC experts for fast air conditioning repair any time of the day or night, seven days a week.
Some of the Common Warning Noises of AC Problems
Anything that sounds out-of-the-ordinary should merit a repair call. Below we’ve listed the most frequently heard ones:
- Hissing: A sound like high-pressure gas escaping from a pipeline is probably exactly that. This is gaseous refrigerant leaving a leak along a refrigerant line. Loss of refrigerant will have a detrimental effect on cooling power and will eventually cause the compressor to break down, so have this looked into immediately.
- Clanging: If you hear this from either the indoor or outdoor cabinet, it’s a warning of bent fan blades. If this continues, it may cause major damage to the fan and its housing.
- Shrieking: A mechanical shrieking sound often means the motors in the bearings are starting to wear down. If the bearings wear down completely, it will severely damage the motors. Repair technicians can have the bearings replaced to protect the motors.
- Grinding: A grinding sound can mean the motors have lost lubrication and are straining to work. If left unattended, the motors may burn out and need to be replaced.
- Rattling: This might be trouble in the ductwork rather than in the AC itself. Ducts might be loose and rattling around as the blower comes on. It might also point to other loose parts in the air conditioner cabinet; technicians can pinpoint what’s wrong and fix it.
Please Don’t Try to Diagnose the Problem Yourself
We know it’s tempting to open up the HVAC cabinet and try to use a few tools to get to the bottom of the noise on your own. Please leave this work to trained professionals: unless you have the proper experience with servicing air conditioners, you won’t be able to figure out what the strange sound means—and you certainly won’t be able to fix it.
For example, in the case of loss of refrigerant (the hissing sound), you won’t be able to locate the specific leaking points easily or be capable of correcting the problem by recharging the refrigerant and sealing the leaks. Only a licensed technician is even permitted to handle refrigerant!
This applies to all air conditioning services in Skokie, IL and the surrounding areas, from small repairs to full replacement. Experts are only a phone call away: we offer 24-hour emergency service to see that youe AC get back to work fast.
Malek Heating & Cooling—Serving the Chicagoland area since 1998.