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18.11.2024
Brooke Kirshne
Are you noticing a whistling noise from your AC unit? Well, this problem is faced by many air conditioner users. Any kind of noise from an AC whether it is whistling or something else indicates that the cooling device needs to be checked. This can be a warning sign of some serious issues and neglecting this sign is not a good decision. So it is important to fix this issue as soon as possible before it's too late. In this condition, your AC may be working more and harder, and as a result, high energy bills can occur.
Many reasons can cause an air conditioner to make a whistling noise and some of them can be fixed easily by the AC users. Airflow restriction is the main reason behind most of the noise. Some technical issues with the AC unit require the attention of an air conditioner expert. Readers will find this blog very helpful to know the causes and solutions for an AC’s whistling noise.
The Consequences Of Ignoring AC’s Whistling Noise
Some people may ignore the AC’s whistling noise and if this happens for a long time then you may need to face some consequences too. It will not only put your AC unit at risk but also the indoor environment. So here are the main consequences that you may face if you ignore the whistling noise of your AC:
- Uncomfortable Indoor Environment: Hearing a whistling noise can be very irritating and if you ignore this issue then the sound will become louder day by day. Living in this kind of environment will become very uncomfortable.
- Major Wear And Tear To AC: The whistling sound of an AC can be a sign of a serious underlying problem. Ignoring this is not a great idea because this can lead to major wear and tear to your air conditioning system.
- Poor Indoor Air Quality: You may not know that but if your AC filter has some issues then it can cause your air conditioner to make noises like a whistle. The quality of indoor air may start decreasing if you ignore this problem.
Common Reasons Behind An AC’s Whistling Noise
AC creates a noise like a whistle for many reasons and some of them are very common and can be fixed by yourself. Here are the 4 common causes of whistling noise created by an air conditioner:
1. Blocked Air Vents
Return and supply vents are two types of air vents. When vents get clogged then they can make an air conditioning system create a whistling sound. Those who may not know what an air vent is. It is an important component of a heating or cooling system that helps spread cool or heated air throughout your house or a building. Objects near an air vent or accumulation of dirt and debris on it disrupts the proper airflow which creates a whistling noise. To fix this you should clean the vents regularly and remove any object obstacle near the air vents.
2. Dirty Air Filters
Dirty air filters are one of the most common reasons that can make your air conditioning sound like a whistle. Airborne particles like dust, debris, and mold start to make an air filter dirty over time. When your AC pulls air then a dirty filter doesn’t let the air pass through it properly. This creates an airflow restriction and due to that, the AC unit will force its inner components to maintain proper airflow. Your cooling system starts overheating because of a dirty filter as a result you can hear a whistling sound. So it is important to replace your AC filter once every 1 to 3 months to solve this issue.
3. Closed Doors
Doors are one of the important parts of a residential or commercial building and they help to flow air properly in indoor spaces. If you close too many doors in your living area then this will restrict airflow. Due to this, the blower motor of your AC may experience difficulty in throwing out air properly and this creates a sound like a whistle. So keep the doors open in your home or workplace to maintain a good flow of air in the entire indoor space. This will not only fix your AC’s whistling sound but also improve the efficiency of your cooling system.
4. Closed Dampers
Dampers are movable metal plates inside the ductwork that you can close or open like a lever. It helps to control the airflow in different rooms of your house or workplace. When you keep the dampers closed they restrict the flow of air and this will cause an AC unit to produce a whistling sound. So always make sure that all of your indoor space’s dampers are open to fix the issue of AC whistling.
When It’s Time To Call An AC Professional To Fix Whistling Noise
Some issues that cause AC’s whistling you can’t fix by yourself. There are some issues that must be fixed by AC professionals because they will check your AC unit properly and fix these problems properly. Here are the 4 issues of an AC that an expert must fix:
1. Large AC Unit
People who have large air conditioning units may not know that the size of their cooling system can be a reason for the whistling sound. Large-sized AC unit cools a high amount of air that some air ducts can’t handle. When this amount of air tries to flow through a duct with high velocity and pressure, a whistling sound is produced. Taking the help of AC professionals in this situation is a wise decision. They will do a proper inspection and provide you with the best solution for this problem of AC’s whistling noise.
2. Refrigerant Leak
Refrigerant (chemical) is the main thing of an AC that lowers the indoor space temperature by absorbing heat from indoor air. When this chemical starts to leak from refrigerant lines then the air starts to escape as a result your cooling system creates a whistling noise. If this problem is ignored then it can cause serious damage to the air conditioning unit. So it is important to check your air conditioner for any refrigerant leakage whenever you notice a noise. If you find any leakage then immediately turn off your AC and call an expert.
3. Leaky Air Ducts
Air ducts are important for spreading cooled air in every corner of a building or a house. The air ducts are pipes that are connected to an AC. When air moves inside the ducts and passes through a leakage, you can hear a whistling noise from your AC unit. Leaks in an air duct also cause high energy bills because your cooling system will work more to maintain an adequate supply of air. When you find any problem like this, call an AC expert to seal any leaks or repair the air ducts.
4. Malfunctioning Blower Motor
A blower motor is a device that is inside an air conditioning system. It is a fan that helps to control the airflow for proper cooling. If a blower motor is damaged or malfunctioning then it will create a whistling sound. In this situation, you should contact a professional who will replace the motor or repair it.
Conclusion
When an AC makes whistling noise it can irritate many home and commercial property owners. Most of the time this happens when the air conditioner doesn’t get proper airflow. Using dirty air filters, not cleaning the air vents, and closing dampers are some of the common reasons that cause whistling noise from an AC. These issues can be fixed without requiring any help from AC professionals. Regularly changing the air filter, keeping open the dampers, and cleaning the vents are some easy measures that AC users can take to prevent or fix the whistling noise of their AC unit.
Causes like large air conditioning systems, refrigerant leaks, and malfunctioning blower motors need to be fixed by AC experts. Professionals will inspect the whole air conditioning to find and fix any other issue that is causing whistling noise. Do you have a dirty air filter and you are trying to find a new one? Custom Filters Direct will provide you with the best-customized filters for your homes and offices. Make a call today at (877) 812-2361.
Frequently Asked Questions
- You need to make sure that you regularly clean or replace the air filter of your AC. It is highly recommended that a disposable air filter should be changed every 3 months.
- The supply and return vents should be clean and free from any kind of obstructions.
- The dampers should always be open and should be aligned with the grills.
- Make sure that the doors are not closed otherwise your AC unit has to work harder to offer you cool air causing it to make a whistling noise.
- An oversized AC will have a short cycle while a properly sized AC will take the required time to work.
- When the AC is oversized then it will not run for long enough to remove the humidity from the air.
- You will have high energy bills as an oversized AC consumes more energy.
- If you have an oversized AC for your space then it will have a shorter lifespan.
- You should check if your air filter is dirty or clogged. If yes, then you should get it replaced.
- You need to make sure that you have a proper supply of air in the vents.
- There should be no indication of leakage from the refrigerant. If there is a sign then call an HVAC professional to get fixed.
- You need to check if the blower has any kind of damage. A broken blower motor will cause your AC to make noises.