Why is My AC Unit Making a Squealing Noise? When transitioning from winter to spring weather, it could mean any number of things when your air conditioning unit needs some routine maintenance. With our last post, we walked you through necessary steps to take in preparing your outdoor AC unit for the more regular usage that the weather shift requires. Cleaning and maintaining is one thing, but what if after all that there is still a high-pitched squealing noise? It’s highly more likely that you’ll experience this in the spring, as your compressor/capacitor has been exposed to the winter elements for months at a time (including ice). What could this sound mean and is there an easy way to fix it? If you’re experiencing this issue, it is likely one of three things: the bearings on your condenser fan’s motor, the belt connecting the motor to the blower has slipped, or it’s actually not a problem at all. Here are a few tips to help diagnose the problem and a pointer on how to fix your noisy AC unit.

If it’s not a problem – Many units emit a slight squeal under normal operation. This is especially the case when, at this point in the year, it has been sitting for several months and just needs to work out its kinks. A good indication that this is in fact the case is the brevity of the noise. If it’s nothing to worry about then the noise will be slight and only last for a few minutes. If it’s any longer than a few moments and any louder than ‘slight,’ then you should investigate other causes (see below). If it’s the belt connecting the motor to the blower – Most newer units do away with the belt system. If you have an older unit and happen to know that it is belt driven, then the issue is more than likely that the belts have been worn over the years and have slipped. You’ll hear this noise both outside and coming through the vents inside your home. If this is indeed the cause, your next step would be to replace the belt or call us. If it’s the bearings attached to your unit’s condenser fan – All newer units have direct-drive motors (meaning no belts).

These sorts of units use a fan to draw air across the condenser coils located inside of your compressor. If you have a direct-drive motor then you will hear the squealing or grinding coming from your outside unit. This means that the bearings on the fan motor are shot and the motor will need to be replaced. We strongly urge you not to fix this on your own as it could increase the amount of damage to your compressor, resulting in a more costly fix. As you gear up for cold weather, do you experience a potent smell when you turn on your heater? Visit this blog post for simple DIY ways to identify and fix the odor(s) before the Winter hits! Using a motor lubricant or spray lubricant on the motor shaft to temporarily relieve the noise is a temporary fix. This, however, is NOT a permanent fix and the problem should be tended to by a professional as soon as possible. Your HVAC (AC) unit could be overworked! There are several reasons that this could be the case. Most commonly it is working too hard to decrease the humidity level inside of your home.

Click here to learn from us how to decrease your in-home humidity level. We offer whole home dehumidifiers which will significantly decrease its level as well as lengthen the life of your AC unit! That’s where we come in! Schedule an appointment with BR McGinty today to get your AC unit in proper working condition for the spring! And if your AC unit smells funny when you turn it on? Click here for our input! how to find the tonnage of ac unitOr click HERE if it’s leaking!3 ton ac unit 16 seerPlease Select Username to appear on public areas of the site like community and recipe comments.ac unit undersizedFunny air conditioner sounds should be inspected by a professional. The outside unit of your central air conditioning system is called the condenser.

This unit compresses refrigerant and discharges the heat your system absorbs from inside your home. It’s normal to hear noise from your air conditioner’s condenser unit when it's running; however, not all noises are harmless. If your condenser unit is making funny or unusual noises, it may be an indication of a serious problem that should be addressed by a certified HVAC technician. Turn off the power to your air conditioning system at the main breaker panel or fuse box. Inspect the fasteners on the metal cage surrounding your condenser unit if you hear rattling during operation. Tighten the screws or bolts that hold the cage in place to stop the noise, using a screwdriver or an adjustable wrench. Contact a certified HVAC technician if tightening the bolts doesn’t quiet the rattle. The compressor motor mounts may have failed, which causes the motor to rattle around inside. Sweep debris off the top of the unit, using a broom. Move any objects leaning against the sides or base if you hear thumps, bangs or thuds during operation.

Inspect the fan blades if you hear clicking or ticking noises. If a blade is bent, this can cause it to wobble, which can produce these sounds. Contact a technician to replace or repair the blade. Look for loose wiring or signs of burning near the wire connections if you hear buzzes or hums. If you see signs of burning, leave the system turned off and contact a technician for service as these are an indication of an electrical issue or a failing motor. If your unit makes a humming noise but doesn’t start, this indicates the compressor motor may have seized or the system may not be running at the proper voltage. All of these problems should be repaired by a professional. Call a certified HVAC technician immediately if the condenser unit is making loud screaming, hissing or whistling noises. Loud hissing or high-pitched whistles indicate a possible refrigerant leak. Refrigerant gas can be extremely dangerous, even in small quantities. Alternatively, a very loud screaming noise may indicate excessive internal pressure, which is also extremely dangerous.