Ideally, your home’s air conditioning unit should be running as quietly as possible while providing you with a cool indoor environment. Yet a slight change in the sound of your air conditioning unit, even the slightest hint of a rattle or a whine, can be a telltale sign that it needs a thorough inspection.
With a little knowhow, you can deduce through sheer sound alone what could be wrong with your AC unit. At any rate, you can count on Minnetonka or Eden Prairie air conditioning repair service providers to address the following types of noise and the underlying problems they represent.
Whistling
A whistling sound from your AC could either mean that the unit is improperly sealed or that there are loose screws or bolts around the cracks and seams of ducts. Retightening loose screws and bolts or connections, as well as covering the seals with heat tape, usually suffice to remedy this problem. If any portion of caulking has come undone, re-apply it accordingly.
Rattling
The best place to start looking for the source of rattling noises is around the unit since most fasteners placed throughout the unit start to come loose as time passes. Check for loose bolts or screws, and tighten any loose ones. Should the rattling sound persist, look inside and see if any loose screws need to be tightened as well. Remember to turn the power off before you check for loose screws and bolts inside the unit.
Thudding
Loud thuds could indicate that something loose is preventing the unit from functioning optimally. At times, it could be something as simple as a fan blade detaching from a motor. Often, however, it could be a more complex issue, such as a plastic component falling off and hitting the fan.
Other Noises
A louder-than-normal humming sound might be a sign that the coil fins are either bent or clogged with dirt, a problem that a simple cleaning should address. Meanwhile, a screeching sound can mean that the motor’s belt is becoming worn out.
Some of these noises can be easily remedied with a few simple fixes, such as cleaning and re-tightening of screws. However, it would be best to call on an Eden Prairie or Minnetonka air conditioning repair service experts like Air Quality Services once the noises become persistent despite the checks and small fixes you have carried out.
(Source: How to Troubleshoot Noises From a Central Air Conditioner, SFGate Home Guides)