Air Conditioner Makes Loud Noise When Starting | Troubleshooting Tips

The summer months are the perfect opportunity to spend time with friends and loved ones. But as you’re having barbecues and hanging out, you’ll need some cooling relief at some point. That’s when your air conditioning comes in to save the day. However, when these systems experience problems, it’s best to fix them right away!

Is your air conditioner making noise when starting? If your air conditioner makes loud noise when starting, this is a common AC problem you’re experiencing. Luckily, there are some simple ways to locate the issue and find a solution.

Common Noises and What They Mean:

Screeching

Similar to a car, an air conditioner can also make a screeching sound. While it may sound like a detrimental system issue, it often means you have issues with your fan motor bearings. If you notice this loud noise when your AC turns on, call an HVAC technician to find a quick solution. In the meantime, be sure to power down your AC unit. If it continues to run with the screeching noises, you could cause more system issues. An HVAC technician will most likely have to replace the fan motor, which shouldn’t be overly expensive.

Banging

If an air conditioner makes loud noise when starting, you might hear a banging sound. This often means you have debris moving around in your system. Another common culprit is a loose fan that’s hitting the inside of your unit. If you hear this loud noise when AC turns on, power down the system right away and call an HVAC professional. Running your AC unit with this noise could make the issue much worse.

Buzzing

If you have an air conditioner making loud buzzing noise, this could indicate an electrical issue. These sounds are often heard inside the home near the air handler or outside near the outdoor unit. While several different electrical problems can go wrong, the sounds usually mean you have a broken motor, loose wiring, failed capacitor, or broken compressor. If you notice your air conditioner making loud buzzing noise, be sure to call an AC professional for a proper diagnosis.

Clicking

A clicking sound coming from your AC unit is another problem that often means there’s an electrical issue. However, it really depends on where you hear this clicking sound. If you notice your air conditioner making noise when running, there could be debris caught in the blower fan. This can cause debris or small objects to bounce around when the fan blows. If you notice that your AC unit makes this loud noise when starting the system and it won’t turn on, then there could very well be an electrical problem with the thermostat, compressor, or capacitor.

Possible Solutions

Whether your AC makes loud noise when starting or while running, these sounds can be frustrating and annoying. Here are a few ways to turn off these noises for good:

Remove Debris in System

As debris could be moving around your system while in operation, cleaning things up could solve the problem. First, open up your outdoor unit, find the fan, and look for any debris. If you see any, remove it right away. This should help to limit the banging and clanging noises coming from your system.

Coil Fin Maintenance

If you ensure your coil fins are clean and well-maintained, this could also prevent any annoying sounds. In addition, it can also boost system efficiency. One maintenance tip is to straighten out the coil fins with a fin comb. You should also use a vacuum brush to wipe away any remaining debris.

Tighten Screws

One of the easiest ways to fix an air conditioner making noise is to tighten any loose screws. As your system often vibrates while running, screws can easily become loose. It’s best to periodically check your system and tighten any screws that feel loose. This can be a simple solution for solving this frustrating system issue.

Add Lubricant to the Motor

As loud noises could indicate a motor problem, adding lubrication could be the perfect solution. This could be as simple as adding a little oil. Try adding SAE 10 oil to the oil ports located in small holes near the bottom of the fan motor.

If your air conditioner makes loud noise when starting or in operation, it can be extremely irritating. Be sure to follow the tips above to solve the issue right away!