• Phone(847) 588-2533
  • Address200 Applebee St Suite 207, Barrington, IL 60010
  • Open Hours24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year
  • Phone(847) 588-2533
  • Address200 Applebee St Suite 207, Barrington, IL 60010
  • Open Hours24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year

Those Strange Noises from Your AC and What They May Mean

The end of summer is the time when air conditioning systems are most likely to malfunction. Your home’s AC has probably worked steadily since May, so even with the most rigid maintenance it can run into problems due to wear and tear. It’s important at this time of year to pay special attention to any warning signs that the AC needs repair work. Don’t shrug off these warnings because cool weather is coming up—you never want to risk running into a larger repair or possibly a full system breakdown!

Sounds to Listen For

Odd noises from an air conditioner are a frequent warning indicator. These are some of the more common cautionary noises:

  • Hissing: This is almost certainly the sound of high-pressure refrigerant gas escaping from a leak in the copper lines. Loss of refrigerant is a major repair issue, since it will impair the AC’s cooling capacity and eventually lead to damage to the compressor. To fix this problem, technicians will seal the leaks and then recharge the refrigerants.
  • Metallic shrieking: The bearings in the motors are wearing down. If they wear down completely, it will put the motor at serious risk. Call for repairs to replace the bearings before the motor itself needs to be replaced.
  • Grinding: This indicates a motor that is suffering from extra mechanical stress. If left without repairs, the motor may burn out and need to be replaced.
  • Clicking: If you hear this noise when the compressor starts the cooling cycle, the compressor is probably hard-starting. This places extreme stress on the compressor that will raise your bills and may result in the component burning out. Replacing the compressor is an expensive repair, so move fast when you suspect that it is hard-starting.

You can count on our professionals HVAC technicians to fix your AC. We offer 24/7 emergency service.

Brilliant Home Services has served Niles, IL and Chicagoland since 1956.