Performing the proper care and maintenance on your HVAC unit is very important if you are concerned about saving money. Failing to take care of your air conditioning can result in costly repairs. Fortunately, your air conditioning unit is smart enough to tell you when something is wrong. This article will discuss the noises your HVAC unit will make, and what they mean.
1. Rattling
Rattling is one of the most common noises an HVAC unit will make when it’s having trouble. A rattling noise can indicate loose parts. Sometimes, the bolts, fasteners, and screws can become loose. If this happens and you turn on the air conditioning, these parts will rattle inside your unit.
If you hear rattling, you will have to make sure all of the pieces are tightened. Open up your unit and see which parts are loose. You will need to turn the power off before doing this to avoid power surges.
2. Whistling
A whistling sound is a sign of malfunctioning seals inside your unit. The seals run through the air ducts.
Examine the seams on the ducts to find any loose connections. If there are loose connections, you should tighten the bolts, screws, and other parts in these areas. If your seals have heat tape covering them, make sure they are sticking to the seams.
If you hear a whistling sound coming from your air conditioning unit, it’s usually because the seals on the inside are not functioning correctly. This tends to happen along the cracks of the ducts as they carry air through the house.
You will need to inspect the seams to see if there are any loose connections. If there are, tighten the screws and bolts in those areas. If the seals were covered with heat tape, make sure that the tape is completely adhering to the seams.
You should also check the caulking. If you notice cracks or holes, you can just re-caulk it.
You should also inspect the caulking. If there are holes or cracks in the caulking, then you can re-caulk it. Find more information at Climate Experts and learn from the available resources.
3. Screeching
Screeching noises usually indicate that your unit has a worn serpentine belt. Just like cars, your HVAC’s motor has belts that are instrumental in making it run.
If you notice a screeching noise, find out if there is a problem with the belt. If there is, it’s an easy fix. Just replace the belt.
4. “Whapping”
Sometimes you might hear a fast-paced “whapping” sound when your air conditioner is running. If this happens, there might be an object or a piece of debris stuck in the fan blades. It is also possible that an object might be lodged in the housing unit makes contact with the blower.
If this happens, you will want to get it fixed as soon as you can. It is not a critical issue, but if it continues, your motor might wear out faster than normal.
Listen to your air conditioner frequently to make sure that it is functioning properly. Certain noises can indicate various issues in different types of air conditioners. Consult with a air conditioner repair professional to help you maintain your unit. This will keep you from having to pay for expensive repairs.
