Reasons For Noisy AC Compressor

Is your HVAC system struggling to turn on and off? Learn to recognize HVAC problems early so you can avoid permanent damage.

Reasons For Noisy AC Compressor

Reasons For Noisy AC Compressor

23 January 2023
 Categories:
, Blog


An AC compressor is part of the outdoor unit that pressurizes and pumps the refrigerant for heat absorption and release. As such, this crucial part circulates the refrigerant through the coils, creating a cooling effect. However, the compressor may malfunction if you fail to maintain your unit. This may result in strange noises emanating from the unit, which, if neglected, can escalate into a system breakdown. Therefore, you should hire an AC system repair expert to inspect your outdoor unit and fix the malfunctioning component. Below are the reasons why your compressor is making noises. 

Loose Parts or Debris

If you fail to service your AC regularly, the rate of wear and tear will increase significantly. This leads to some parts becoming loose while others detach from the unit. As a result, you will hear rattling noises as the loose parts vibrate in the compressor. Similarly, natural elements can lodge debris in the outdoor unit, causing a rattling noise when operating. Thus, you call an expert to secure the loose parts and clear the compressor for seamless operation.

Faulty Fan Motor or Fan Blades

Besides lack of maintenance, a leak in the compressor can cause a loss of lubrication in the fan motor. As such, the bearings in the motor will scrape against each other, producing a screeching noise. On the other hand, foreign objects can infiltrate the fan cabinet, damaging the fan blades. Consequently, you will hear a banging noise when the blades spin and hit the casing. The good news is that you can fix this issue by addressing the faulty fan blades and clearing obstructions in the compressor for peak efficiency.

Electrical Problems

Your outdoor unit is vulnerable to damage from natural elements as well as critters. As such, pesky insects can damage the wiring insulation, causing electrical failure. In addition, power surges can cause compressor malfunction, hindering its performance. As a result, you will hear a buzzing sound due to an electric arc where currents flow across a gap in a circuit. If this is the case, call an AC repair expert to remedy the electrical malfunction and install a surge protector.

Blocked Suction Lines

The refrigerant lines can deteriorate from formic acid corrosion, causing leaks in the compressor. Additionally, debris can damage the valves in the suction lines, leaking the refrigerant. Consequently, you will hear hissing sounds from the compressor as the refrigerant leaks under pressure. To restore a quiet operation, ensure you patch the suction lines and charge the system with sufficient refrigerant.

A noisy compressor will disrupt your home and decrease energy efficiency. Thus, you should schedule routine AC checks to keep your unit in good working order.

Reach out to an AC system repair contractor to learn more.

About Me
Keeping My HVAC System On Point

About a year ago, I could tell that our HVAC system was really starting to struggle. No matter what we did, the system seemed to have a hard time turning on and off. When our air was running, it smelled terrible. In the winter, it seemed like our home was never warm enough. To ward off sudden failures, we hired a professional to come out and inspect our system. After a thorough analysis, we discovered that there were some serious fan problems. This blog is all about recognizing HVAC system problems early and keeping your system on point, so that you can avoid permanent damage.

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