Why Is My Air Conditioner Making Noise Even When Its Shut Off?

Most people expect their air conditioners to make some noise when it’s running. But if a buzzing type of sound persists even after your air conditioning shuts down, it could be because a component isn’t working right. Whether it’s a faulty motor or an erratic electrical connection, it’s worth checking out. Otherwise, your air conditioner could stop working entirely.

Calling a professional technician is the best idea when your air conditioner is making noise, since they can quickly identify the source and begin repairs. In the meantime, here’s some useful information about why your air conditioner could be noisy.

First, Find Where the Sound is Coming From

Tracing the sound back to the source can help the technician find out the possible causes. Your central air conditioning system consists of two units. The outdoor unit vents the heat collected from your home and cools it down with the refrigerant. This cooler air is sent to the indoor air handler, which makes sure the conditioned air is sent into the ductwork. If the noise you’re hearing isn’t coming from either of these units, the problem could be somewhere inside the ductwork itself.

If the sound is coming from the indoor unit: When noise is coming from the indoor unit, it can often be because there’s something wrong with the blower motor. A faulty electrical connection can cause the motor to make a buzzing sound regardless of if the air conditioner is on.

Occasionally, however, the noise comes from your condensate pump. This component helps drain excess moisture away from the rest of the AC system. It may continue to run after a cooling cycle is complete if there’s still moisture that needs to be taken care of.

If the sound is coming from the outdoor unit: Just like the indoor unit, the outdoor unit possesses a fan and motor. But instead of sending cool air into your ductwork, this fan is used to dissipate the heat collected from indoors. A damaged connection could produce a similar buzzing sound, and since it’s outdoors, it may be a while before you notice it.

The outdoor unit also houses the relay switch, an important component for stabilizing the voltage that enters the system. When this part makes a sound, it may have failed and will need to be replaced.

There’s always a chance that a screw has shaken loose or a piece of debris has gotten stuck somewhere inside the system. This can happen to both the indoor and outdoor unit, and will produce a variety of noises depending on where the object is lodged. If this is the source of the annoying sound, you shouldn’t hear it for very long after the AC shuts off. To make noise in the first place, it’d need to be close enough to something that could cause it to rattle against the unit housing.

These Noises Are Most Often Due to an Electrical Problem

You may have noticed that a lot of the possible causes of this unusual noise have something to do with electrical components or the connections themselves. Since these components won’t work without power, a malfunctioning electrical part is the most common reason you’ll hear something even when the air conditioner is off. After your technician has found where the sound is coming from, they’ll typically start checking components like the relay switch and compressor, as well as all connections.

Even if you’ve found the source of your problem and think it’s an easy fix, it’s best to let a licensed and insured professional handle electrical problems.

Leave Electrical Problems for the Pros

If your air conditioner’s electrical system is malfunctioning or damaged, hiring a professional is the way to go. There are several reasons why:

• Electrical problems can be hazardous: Service technicians have the training, licenses and insurance for safe and effective solutions to electrical malfunctions.
• Improper repairs can end up doing more damage: Even if you think your DIY skills handled the problem, it may have ended up doing more harm than good. Air conditioning systems are still complex machinery, after all.
• Pros can spot other problems: Technicians with extensive experience are more likely to recognize when something else is plaguing your HVAC system. They can handle it right there instead of letting the issue grow or worsen.

Other Common AC Noises

Getting familiar with a few other noises that can come from your air conditioner is a great idea. The next time something is wrong, you may be able to recognize it quicker and call for professional service. A few other telltale noises include:

1. Trickling or Hissing: A leak is the most common culprit. Air leaks are inefficient but can be simpler to resolve. If the coolant is leaking, however, that may spell big trouble. Components related to the refrigerant supply are costly to fix and could end up resulting in having to replace the entire air conditioner.
2. Clicking or Ticking: When functioning normally, you’ll hear clicks as electrical components start up and direct the air conditioning to run. When there’s an electrical problem, these clicking sounds can happen at random.
3. Clanging or Rattling: These sounds are likely because of a loose screw or a piece of debris. But sometimes it’s a piece of a more important component such as the compressor. The compressor is airtight, so if something breaks off inside it, you could be stuck with an unpleasant rattle until it’s fixed.

Call Neal Harris Service Experts for Quiet, Comfortable Cooling

If something doesn’t sound right, don’t wait and see if it goes away on its own. The faster a professional technician can take a look, the quicker things can be resolved. You’ll enjoy a quieter air conditioner and efficient cooling.

Schedule an appointment with the HVAC pros at Neal Harris Service Experts today by giving us a call at 816-787-0500.