Even if silence is golden, that’s not something that you should expect to hear from your Amana air conditioning. The soft hum of the air conditioner in the summer means that everything is up and running. However, if you notice new sounds, something may be wrong with the AC unit.
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Is an air conditioner supposed to be quiet?
When the air conditioning system turns on, it will make a sound. When the thermostat or control system senses that the house has to cool down, a single-stage air conditioner will turn on at full power. A single-stage system pushes the conditioned air at a constant speed. Once the thermostat or the control system gets to the set temperature, the entire system turns down as quickly as it started.
Two-stage air conditioners are made to run lower and higher speed options, which reduces the effect of full ON or OFF cycling compared to single-speed models. A two-speed or variable-speed air conditioner will run longer as it’s supposed to keep consistent indoor comfort at a lower speed. As a result, the ON and OFF noise is lower than with a single-stage model due to often cycling.
What noises can the Amana air conditioner make?
If you hear loud and disruptive sound from the air conditioner, a moderate and severe problem may be present. The noises typically indicate that it’s time for repair work or unit replacement. To diagnose the system, you should learn a thing or two about the most common air conditioner noises that you cannot ignore:
Banging noises
When your Amana air conditioner makes a banging noise, there’s something wrong with the compressor. The compressor is supposed to send refrigerant to various HVAC system components to eliminate excess heat from the house. Towards the middle and end of its lifespan, parts inside the compressor will become loose.
As the parts become loose, a rattling noise will sound every time the air conditioning runs. The detached components that hit the compressor’s exterior framing cause the noises. As the compressor isn’t made to be easy to fix, it will most likely make you buy a new air conditioner.
Contact an HVAC technician if you hear a banging noise from your air conditioning.
Humming noises
If the contactor relay switch is faulty, the air conditioner will make a humming noise. The component is supposed to start the outdoor condenser unit every time it gets a signal from the thermostat. A defective contactor relay requires professional servicing. We advise you not to postpone fixing electrical problems like this as they can cause severe damage to the air conditioner. The repair work for the air conditioner will be more expensive than expected if you don’t call the professionals to troubleshoot and fix the contactor relay.
Rattling noises
Loose sticks, dirt, and even leaves in the outdoor condenser unit can generate rattling noises in the air conditioner. The easiest fix is to take apart the unit and remove whatever causes the rattling sound. A damaged electrical contactor in the system can also generate a rattling sound, which is more severe than some leaves in the outdoor condenser unit. Should the contactor be defective, you have to call the professionals. They can fix the contactor and prevent further damage to the air conditioner’s compressor.
It can also be that the piping inside the unit, especially in a PTAC unit, are vibrating and touching each other. That issue can be solved simply by sticking something between the noisy pipes, like in the video:
Buzzing sounds
A buzzing sound from the air conditioner isn’t just annoying and something to address immediately. The sound signal is loose or unbalanced fan blades in the outdoor condenser unit. A defective outdoor fan motor, loose components, and dirty condenser coils can also cause a buzzing sound. An obstruction close to the copper lines that connect to the air conditioner is another cause of the buzzing noise. The worst-case scenario is when there’s a refrigerant leak.
We recommend you address the buzzing sound and hire a licensed technician for an air conditioner tune-up.
Bubbling sounds
When there’s excess moisture, the air conditioner that connects to the house can produce a bubbling sound. A problem appears when there’s a crack, blockage, or hole in the drainage pipe. If you’re a DIY homeowner, you can disassemble the air conditioner to examine the drainage line. We don’t recommend you replace the drainage line, tough.
Fixing the bubbling sound in the air conditioner requires specialized tools, good skills, training, and proper equipment. Stay on the safe side and call the professionals for repair work.
Screeching sounds
Often, a malfunctioning fan motor in the outdoor condenser unit produces screeching sounds. The air conditioner has a fan that removes heat from the refrigerant. When the air conditioner makes a shrieking sound, the cause is a problem with the fan motor. A broken motor in the compressor of the condenser system may also cause the sound.
When the blower fan motor inside the sound is damaged, you may hear a screeching or squealing sound. The blower fan is made to collect warm air from every room of the house. If the blower fan motor is activated, the return ducts will collect the hot and humid air throughout the enclosure and send it to the air conditioner. The blower fan will then distribute the cold air from the system throughout the house.
Damaged bearings in the fan motor may also cause a screeching noise near the HVAC system. The screeching sound can also come from the impaired fan belt. Should you notice a screeching sound from the AC, we strongly recommend turning off the air conditioner and contacting a professional HVAC technician.
Clicking sounds
Even if a clicking noise at the beginning and end of the cooling cycle is normal, your air conditioner shouldn’t generate a continuous clicking sound. A malfunctioning thermostat can be the leading cause of the clicking sound. Removing and installing a new thermostat is a job better left to the professionals. Contact your local HVAC technician for further assistance.
Hissing noises
Moderate to severe air duct leaks in the house can make the air conditioner generate a hissing noise. A malfunctioning expansion valve or an air filter that isn’t compatible with the air conditioning system can cause the hissing noise. Don’t postpone fixing it and call the experts right away.
