When you live in a climate like ours, a working air conditioner is imperative. Keeping up on your AC maintenance appointments can help you potentially avoid any big repair needs, however even a well maintained AC system can run into problems every now and then. It’s important to tackle these issues right away, since you don’t want to be stuck with a non-functioning air conditioner in the dead of summer. What are some warning sounds you should listen for, and what do they mean?
Clanging
Have you noticed the sound of metal banging on metal in your system? You should not ignore this noise, even if you could! There are a number of loose mechanical parts that could create this sound. However, the culprit is most likely bent fan blades in the outdoor fan or the indoor blower. When you hear this sound, turn off your air conditioner until you have a professional HVAC technician take a look.
Grinding/Screeching
Dirt along your motor bearings or worn down bearing can be responsible for this type of noise. Essentially, this sound is indicative of either a dirty or a dying motor. Grinding is usually caused by a motor that is about to burn out. Sometimes, a technician may be able to repair your AC motor. However, most likely they will need to replace it.
Hissing
This is a much subtler noise, and you may not notice it at first. But if your AC is making a hissing sound, you should not ignore it. Typically, this sound is caused by refrigerant gas escaping from a leak in the lines or a loose connection. Loss of refrigerant impairs your air conditioner’s ability to cool, and can eventually lead to catastrophic damage to the compressor.
For air conditioner repairs in Orlando call Southwest Air & Heat today!
