Air conditioners are indispensable during hot seasons. While you may have been using air conditioners for a long time, not everyone is familiar with the issues that may arise with these appliances. When your air conditioner starts making loud noises during operation, do you need to call a technician right away?
Reasons for Loud Noises Coming from the Indoor Unit of the Air Conditioner
+ Air conditioner installation issues
The first reason could be related to the installation of the air conditioner. Issues here may include an imbalance causing the screws fixing the air conditioner to become loose and move from their original position, or the air conditioner may have been installed incorrectly from the beginning.
For imbalance or loose screw issues, users can simply inspect and tighten the screws or replace them if necessary. This is the simplest way to help secure the air conditioner’s position and will surely eliminate the noise issue.
If the air conditioner was installed incorrectly, it could be due to an uneven surface, improper installation of the indoor and outdoor units, or too many obstacles around the air conditioner. In this case, observe and assess if there are any issues with the location and make appropriate adjustments.
+ Air conditioner fan issues
Problems with the air conditioner’s fan are also a common cause of loud noises. The fan is responsible for creating cold air and distributing it to the outside environment, thereby cooling the space. So, when this part malfunctions, the air conditioner will not only make loud noises but also experience a significant decrease in performance.
Some issues that may occur with the fan include cracks, breakage, misalignment, lack of lubrication, or excessive dust accumulation. In this case, you can turn off the power to the air conditioner and then proceed to disassemble and inspect the fan. For simple cases, you can handle them yourself.
However, if the fan shows signs of cracking or breakage, it is best to replace it with a new part rather than continue using it.
+ Air conditioner door cracks or breaks
The door, located on the indoor unit side, helps control the direction of the air conditioner’s airflow. When this part is cracked or broken, it will not function properly and will make a squeaking noise. If there are only small cracks, you can use a specialized adhesive to glue them back together. However, if the part is severely broken or cracked, it is best to replace it with a new one.
Reasons for Noises Coming from the Outdoor Unit
– Unsecured outdoor unit position (the rubber pad underneath is worn out or missing, or the unit is installed unevenly)
– The presence of foreign objects or excessive dirt inside the outdoor unit, which has not been cleaned for a long time
– Broken or misaligned outdoor unit fan
For the outdoor unit, the handling process is more complicated due to its typical installation location. It is often placed in high or hard-to-reach areas, such as balconies, outside the railing or balcony, or on the roof. Therefore, to ensure safety, users should not attempt to fix it themselves but instead call professional technicians for assistance.