Summer is a very stressful time for air conditioners. This is typically the only time that they are expected to run for hours at a time on a daily basis. That kind of stress can provoke all sorts of problems in your air conditioning system, some of which manifest in the form of strange noises. It’s a good idea to know what these noises signify, as the faster you can identify an air conditioning problem the faster you can get it fixed. Let’s have a look at some of the more common air conditioning noises you should listen for.
Grinding
If you hear a loud grinding noise coming from your air conditioning system during operation, it means you probably have an air handler issue. The air handler is the part that pushes air throughout the house. The motor of the air handler is equipped with a number of lubricated bearings, in order to lessen the friction on the system. If these bearings wear out, and are not replaced, the motor will eventually overheat and burn out.
Hissing/Gurgling
If you hear hissing or gurgling sounds, it is a sign that there is air somewhere in the pipes of the system. Most commonly, this indicates that there is a leak in the refrigerant line. A refrigerant leak will eventually rob the system of the liquid that it needs to operate. If the leak is not patched as quickly as possible, your entire system may break down. It is also possible that you have a leak in the condensate drain line. This is still problematic, but not nearly as bad as a refrigerant leak.
If your air conditioner is making strange noises, call Saddleback Plumbing today. Our expert technicians cover the entire Orange County, CA area.