Residential AC Repair: Diagnosing AC System Noise
How to Diagnose Residential AC Repair Noise
Many of our blog articles deal with do-it-yourself maintenance projects, projects that most homeowners can accomplish without any problems. Changing the air filter is a good example: it’s as simple as sliding the old filter out and replacing it with a new filter. Or gently washing the outdoor condenser unit with a garden hose.
Both are vitally important Residential AC Repair maintenance projects, easy enough for almost everyone to accomplish and feel comfortable doing.
This article acknowledges that homeowners are not equipped to perform complex Residential AC Repairs to their air conditioner system, but can be very helpful to the technician who is called to make the repairs. Keeping with the “simple” theme, your keen observational skills can save the service professional time and will save you money. So, put on your Sherlock Holmes cap, grab your magnifying glass, and take a few notes.
Record Your Observations
If the air conditioner stopped working during the 8th inning of a crucial divisional game (that is generally when the AC stops working), note the time that you made your observation. Look at the thermostat and record what you see—the setting was 740 at 3:30 pm, but the temperature was at 780.
Ten minutes later, the temperature was 830. Was the fan blowing? Did you hear the condenser running when the temperature was rising? Keep everything simple, but your observation can be very helpful to the person trying to diagnose the problem.
Listen for Unusual Noise
You are accustomed to the normal noises your air conditioner makes. You are listening even when you are not aware that you are listening. Unusual noises become apparent when you listen with purpose and hear something out-of-the-ordinary.
Rattling or Screeching Noises. Most moving parts in your air conditioner are moving very quickly. Keep it simple and just listen for the location of the noise. Stay away from fans and twirling blower fins. That is why you called the professional.
Any other loose part will be in close proximity to rapidly moving parts, so leave the repairs to the professional.
Banging or Popping Noises. Perhaps a duct has been damaged or loosened by recent contact. Every time the cooling cycle begins or ends, the ducts make a noise, but . . . where?
Loud Buzzing or Humming Noises. Your AC unit uses a lot of electricity. Your utility bill reminds you every month. When you hear an unusually loud hum or buzz it indicates an electrical problem that most homeowners are unprepared to repair. An electrical component that is nearing failure is often very hot; it will give you a serious jolt plus burn you.
Hissing Noises with Bubbles. If you observe hissing and see bubbling, this is important information for the technician. The hissing will not be loud and it will not last long. The air conditioner uses one of several refrigerant gases and this gas is kept at high pressure in a closed system. Whenever a leak develops in the closed system, the gas will escape very quickly with a soft hissing noise.
As the refrigerant gas escapes, air will move in to fill the vacuum left by the escaped gas. As the air moves in, bubbles form on the tubing, identifying the location of the leak. Once the gases have changed locations, the hissing and bubbling will stop. Mark the location of the leak to assist the technician in sealing the leak. Once the leak is sealed, the system can be recharged with fresh refrigerant gas.
Our trained, professional staff of technicians welcome the observations of homeowners. This makes our jobs easier and gives us the chance to offer great customer service. We do not expect homeowners to place themselves in hazard by making repairs without the proper tools and training.
Residential AC Repair: Need Help Diagnosing AC System Noise?
Let us help with your Residential AC Repair Issues. Call Doctor Cool & Professor Heat today at 281-338-8751 or email Doctor Cool and let our professional Air Conditioner Maintenance technicians assist with all of your Air Conditioning Issues.
