Common causes of air conditioner noise and how to fix them yourself

It often happens that after several years of trouble-free use of the air conditioner, it suddenly begins to make an unpleasant noise. Agree, it is quite stupid to throw away equipment just because of a slight crackling during operation, especially if it is a branded air conditioner.

Even such a seemingly harmless “symptom” can signal a serious malfunction, which can cause the final breakdown of the climate control equipment. To restore normal operation of the equipment, it is important to accurately determine the causes of air conditioner noise and eliminate them in time.

Annoying noise may also occur due to improper installation, but in this case, the first signs of malfunction will appear in the first months after the start of operation. Later in the article you will learn how you can recognize the type of breakdown by the type of noise and quickly fix it without the help of a technician.

Why is the air conditioner loud?

In the absence of regular maintenance, the air conditioner begins to crackle and hum already in the first years of its operation. In some cases, the air conditioner may knock even when it is turned off, which indicates problems during its installation.

The exact cause of the breakdown can be determined by the nature of the sound and the source of its propagation. All breakdowns are divided into two types - mechanical and electrical.

Even if you cannot fix the malfunction yourself, you just need to learn to distinguish the nature of the sound in order to correctly determine the type of breakdown and the cost of fixing it when you call a technician

Mechanical failures are concentrated in the internal mechanisms of the device, while electrical failures have causes associated with electronic failure.

You can independently understand the reasons for the humming of the air conditioner according to the following algorithm: when noticeable noise appears, first of all, it is necessary to determine which unit is the source of the unpleasant sounds, and only after that try to establish the nature of the noise.

Noise in the indoor unit

If you notice a noticeable noise accompanied by vibration when you turn on the air conditioner, the cause may be a malfunction of the impeller motor, or the impeller itself. Also, a rumble when the fan is operating can appear due to the formation of ice, which is what its blades cling to.

The presence of a sufficiently strong low-frequency sound indicates a problem in the electrical part of the indoor unit inside the split system. In this case we are talking about a transformer that begins to hum just before it fails. This problem may occur due to the device is not securely fastened.

The appearance of a low hissing sound may indicate a refrigerant leak from the system, but if the hissing sound increases, it is better to check the unit for clogged or broken pipes

Sometimes the air conditioner hums even when turned off, which is more typical for devices manufactured by Chinese companies.Such a low-frequency sound does not in any way interfere with night sleep, and is not at all a sign of a breakdown.

Causes of outdoor unit noise

Malfunction of the external unit may occur due to mechanical damage. For example, this may be interference from third parties if the air conditioner is installed on the 1st or 2nd floor. The equipment can also be damaged by icicles falling from the roof directly onto the outdoor unit.

Over time, the heat exchanger of the external unit can become contaminated with poplar fluff, insects and road dust. As a result of such contamination, the equipment begins to hum loudly, which indicates a disruption in the heat exchange process and severe overload of the compressor.

Also, noticeable noise in the system can be observed when the bolts are loosened arbitrarily. This situation may arise due to powerful vibration of the outdoor unit, which ultimately leads to loosening of the metal bracket.

The absence of vibration dampers on the mountings of the external unit can lead to strong hum and vibration, which is a consequence of the contact of anchor bolts recessed into the wall at great depths with the slab reinforcement

If the air conditioner begins to make noticeable noise almost immediately after its installation, then the reason may be its improper installation. In this case, the problem concerns non-compliance with the requirements for choosing the location and length of the cooling system pipeline.

Eliminating the causes of air conditioner noise

For better clarity, we will give several examples of breakdowns accompanied by specific sounds, and also consider the most effective ways to eliminate them.In this case, we will talk about the most common mistakes when caring for equipment, which are very costly for users.

It should be remembered that independent repair of climate control equipment Only possible for minor faults. If you understand that you cannot fix the problem yourself, then it is better to seek help from a qualified specialist. It will still cost less than buying a new split system.

Air conditioner filter dirty

If the internal filter is dirty, not only does normal air circulation within the system become disrupted, but general malfunctions in the operation of the air conditioner may also occur.

This causes ice to accumulate in the copper pipes, causing the air conditioner to hum loudly and cause air leaks from the air conditioner. constantly drip water.

It is recommended to wash the filter approximately once every three weeks, and it is important to completely remove all dirt without using a brush or brush, as they can damage the structure

To completely clean the system of dirt, it is necessary to rinse the filters under running water, and only after drying, put them back. Otherwise, due to regular failures in the system, the air conditioner may completely break down.

Freon leak from the system

Even with regular air conditioner maintenance, a freon leak may occur. The normal leakage rate is 2-3% per year, which is approximately 150 grams.

It is recommended to carry out approximately once every three years refueling the unit. This will not only eliminate the noise of the air conditioner as quickly as possible, but also increase the level of freon in the system to the required value.

In some cases, leakage rates may exceed established standards, a sign of which is the formation of ice and frost on copper pipes and a characteristic hissing noise. Ignoring the problem will lead to rapid wear of the main parts of the device.

Short air conditioner cycle

Quite often a situation arises in which the device turns off after 15-20 minutes of continuous operation. The reasons for its occurrence can be either a simple failure in the settings or a breakdown of the control board or thermostat.

However, the most common cause is considered to be contamination of the external radiator.

The consequence of a dirty radiator is overheating of the entire system, which ultimately leads to a complete shutdown of the climate control equipment.

The problem of radiator contamination can be solved by flushing the radiator with strong water pressure. Short operation of the air conditioner may also be due to excess refrigerant in the system. So, you will need to measure the operating pressure in the compressor, and only if the air conditioner is overloaded with freon should you drain the excess liquid.

The best thing you can do is to promptly carry out all the necessary procedures to maintain the normal operation of the device, which will prevent its premature failure.

In other cases, you will need qualified assistance from a technician who will accurately determine the type of breakdown and quickly restore the operation of your air conditioner.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

Detailed information on how to remove noise and vibration from an air conditioner yourself is presented in the following video:

The procedure for eliminating loud compressor noise is presented in this video:

The annoying noise of an air conditioner is not news for many owners of such climate control equipment, especially if the unit has been in service for many years. The causes of such an unpleasant “symptom” can be completely different malfunctions, which an experienced user must learn to distinguish.

The article presented the most common causes of various air conditioner noises, which, if ignored, can lead to the equipment stopping working. The situations presented will help you quickly determine the cause of the noise, and, in some cases, eliminate it yourself.

If a similar problem has already arisen with your air conditioner and you had to solve it yourself, then please tell us your story. Your experience is very important to our readers. You can leave your comment in the special field after the article.