What Are Those Noises Coming From My Air Conditioner?

What the most common HVAC noises mean – and what you should do about them.

Sound Off

Air conditioners make noise. That’s inevitable. The question is whether the noises coming from your vents or unit are normal. Your AC tells you when something is wrong – the key is understanding what it’s saying.

What’s Normal

Some sounds are just standard when it comes to your air conditioner. Others? Not so much. If you’re hearing any of these sounds, chances are everything is A-OK.
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Smooth startup sounds, like a machine turning on, when your AC activates.

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Consistent blowing from your vents as air flows out

What’s Not

Some noises are a big sign that it’s time to take a closer look at your air conditioner. It’s time to give a pro a call when you hear:
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Banging

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Rattling

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Screeching

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Groaning

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Stalling

WHAT ARE THOSE NOISES COMING FROM MY AIR CONDITIONER?

What Does It Mean?

Different noises have different causes, but the general rule of thumb is that loud, unusual, or inconsistent sounds are pointing to some sort of problem internally with your HVAC system. This could be caused by various factors, including:
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Debris buildup within your unit
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A broken or damaged part
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A dislodged part
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A leak
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General age or wear and tear

Safety First

Noises coming from an air conditioner should be addressed right away. Calling in a pro means nipping issues in the bud before they become a discomfort or even a safety hazard.

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Ruben and Edward are Great!!👍

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Chris was incredibly helpful and really went above and beyond for us. After another technician was unable to solve the problem, Chris came out and genuinely cared about finding a way to keep our kids comfortable in this Florida heat.… Read more

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Gunnar is the best tech I’ve worked with. Thanks Gunnar!

Sagar M.2 months ago
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I have one of the fairly new Goodman "Inverter communicating" ducted heat pump systems. These systems require some advanced technician training in order for them to have the smart thermostat, the air handler, and the condenser unit all… Read more

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