Living in Florida without an air conditioner, especially during the hot summer months, is unthinkable. This is precisely why, when something seems to be a bit off, one needs to take quick and decisive action. In most cases, it means calling the HVAC technician. Thankfully, before developing any big problem, the AC tends to drop many hints in the form of uneven cooling, strange noises, pressure differences, and such. So you need to be on the lookout for these warning signs and address them quickly before the AC quits on you. One such scenario is an AC making a loud noise when starting or shutting off.
Reasons For AC Making A Loud Noise While Startin And Shutting Down
There are a couple of reasons that could result in your AC, making a loud noise at the time of starting and shutting off. The prominent ones are listed below:
1. Problem With The Blower Fan – The fan mounting inside the air handler unit sometimes becomes loose. It may happen due to corrosion, wear, and tear, or vibrations. Whatever be the reason the loose mounts make the fan unstable. So when the fan speeds up or slows down, which is the case during starting and shutting down of AC, it is thrown off-kilter. Due to the imbalance, the fan collides with other parts within the unit, causing the loud and strange noise.
The Solution – To fix this problem, you will have to call the HVAC technician as it is not a DIY activity. They can try and tighten the mounting. In case it is broken, the assembly will have to be changed.
2. Compressor Problems – Some compressors are built with spring to help reduce the vibrations caused by the pump. When one or more springs get damaged or broken, the pump vibrates in its casing and more so during the beginning and end of a cycle. This can be the source of the noise.
The Solution – The compressor is a single sealed part, so you cannot replace any component inside it. Our sincere advice is that if you don’t mind the noise, live with it until the compressor fails or its time to buy a new unit.
Another issue could be that the compressor itself is starting to fail. However, this will be felt with a marked decline in its cooling efficiency. To validate the prognosis, call your local HVAC contractor.
The Solution – In this case, the only solution is to replace the compressor. But that, in itself, is a costly option. If you have been thinking of upgrading to a better and more energy-efficient system, now is probably the time to think about it, instead of just replacing the compressor.
3. Damper Opening And Closing – Many air conditioner units have ‘dampers’ in order to control the flow of cool air to the various parts of the home. You will mostly find them in those homes that have different zones. Loud AC noise in the form of dampers opening and closing can be heard when the insulation in the ducts is poor.
The Solution – At the outset, let’s be clear on the fact that damper noise is not really a repair issue. You can choose to ignore it, but if you find it very annoying, the HVAC technician can help reduce its level by adding more lubrication to the dampers so that they can open and close more smoothly.
4. Ducts Expanding Or Contracting – Metals tend to expand when they are hot, and when they cool down, they contract. Some homes have ducts made of sheet metal. So, in reality, the loud noise that you hear are the ducts expanding and contracting due to temperature and pressure variations. Since the change is maximum during the starting and shutting down of the AC, you associate the sound with that.
The Solution – The sound of expanding and contracting ducts can be brought down by adding insulation to the ductwork. The local HVAC technician can carry out this job. All you need to do is call them and book an appointment.
5. Air Filter Problems – High MERV rating air filters reduce the contaminants in the air by trapping even the smallest particles. But, in hindsight, they also reduce the airflow, which has the same effect as that of dirty air filters. So, instead of allowing the air to move freely through it, the complete filter moves, and that is the source of the noise.
The Solution – The solution is simple: use a filter that has a lower MERV rating. It may not be as effective as the one with a higher rating, but you can always use an air purifier to supplement the lesser rating one.
The other problem with the air filter could be that it has not been secured properly. So, when the AC starts and stops the filter, it bangs against the grille or the frame holding it.
The Solution – Again, the solution is simple. So simple that you can do it yourself. Use tape to secure the filter firmly in place, and you are all set to enjoy the calm and tranquil environment of the home.
Towards The End
There could be yet other reasons for the noise, but the ones we have discussed above are the most common ones. At Aztil Air Conditioning, we always recommend to our customers never to ignore an AC making a loud noise. Even if it is nothing, getting it checked by a trained technician will give you the peace of mind. Alternately, if there is an issue, the technician will carry out the necessary repairs to get the AC working as before.
The residents of West Palm Beach, Florida, can call the air experts at Aztil Air Conditioning to get their air conditioners checked. We also do their maintenance, repair, and installation. Call us at 888-729-8452 to book an appointment. We are open 24/7, so you don’t have to wait for a more convenient time. Give us a call today.
