Is Your AC Making A Grinding Noise?

woman plugging her ears

Why is my AC making a grinding noise?

You need an air conditioner you can depend on if you live in Florida. Hot spells can strike any time of the year, even during the deepest winter when much of the northern states have thick blankets of snow. If your AC starts sending you signals that it might be struggling or heading toward a breakdown, you need to act fast to get it the necessary repairs. You don’t want one of those surprise hot days to come along and find a worse surprise waiting for you when the air conditioner refuses to come on.

But even if your AC fails completely, you don’t have to panic: AC Designs is ready 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to provide you with emergency care for your air conditioning in Jacksonville, FL. Our NATE-certified technicians won’t let you go without the necessary comfort of your air conditioner.

Is that grinding noise from my AC a warning sign?

Strange noises are one of the ways you can tell if your air conditioner is encountering trouble. You are probably familiar with the sounds your AC makes during normal operation, so when something like a grinding noise starts, it will stand out—as it should. A few of the main causes of this pesky grinding noise we see on a routine basis include:

  1. Trouble with the compressor: This is the #1 most likely cause of this issue. This vital component is what sends the refrigerant through the air conditioner’s lines and allows for heat exchange. Compressors operate similar to motors, with pistons that compress the refrigerant inside. If the compressor wears down, the pistons can start to cause an unpleasant grinding noise. Other internal components may have broken or come loose. Usually, the compressor will need a full replacement, which is a job trained HVAC professionals can get done for you.
  2. The blower fan belt has come loose: Occasionally, this component comes loose and starts to rub against other parts of the air conditioner’s cabinet. The damaged belt will need to be changed before it causes further trouble for other components. This isn’t like changing the motor belt in a car: it requires special knowledge and the right tools.
  3. Lack of Motor Lubrication: Sometimes with older units (and newer ones if they are put through the ringer like they do here in Jacksonville) the motor needs additional lubrication to continue to run smoothly and quietly. While this is a small fix if you catch it early, over time it can cause real damage to your AC’s motor.

Please keep in mind that your air conditioner may still seem to function normally even with these problems occurring. Don’t give into the temptation to just tolerate the sound and try your best to ignore it—the problem will not go away, and it will get worse until a major malfunction occurs that will require expensive repairs. When you hear these grinding noises, call in HVAC professionals who will be able to identify where the issue lies and fix it so it won’t reoccur.

AC Designs can help you with any problems you may encounter with your air conditioning. Grinding noises, frozen coils, strange smells from the vents… if you think there’s something awry with your AC, contact us right away.