Air Conditioner Sounds You Don't Want to Hear

When an air conditioner is functioning correctly, it will make relatively little noise. However, air conditioners can develop problems over time as internal parts undergo wear and tear. Many of these problems are indicated by specific noises. Understanding what the different air conditioner sounds mean can help you to diagnose problems and seek help when necessary.

Here are some of the sounds that can tell you when your HVAC system needs to be serviced by a professional.

Screeching

If the blower motor screeches while it's operating, this may be due to a belt that's wearing out. Worn belts aren't expensive to replace, but if they wear out completely and break, the blower motor will be unable to function.

Thudding, Rattling and Clanging 

When you hear rattling, this usually means that a part within the system is coming loose. The problem should be repaired before the part comes all the way loose or breaks. If your system is producing a loud banging noise, it likely means a part has come loose or is broken. In either case, shut off the system and contact a professional.

Slapping 

A rapid slapping sound that occurs when the blower is on may be caused by something stuck in the blades. Alternatively, there could be something coming into contact with the blower while it's turning. It's possible that neither of these problems will cause your HVAC system to break down immediately, but they can create resistance and that may lead to the motor wearing out quickly.

Clicking

When your air conditioner is functioning normally, you can expect to hear clicking noises as it cycles on and off. These clicking noises come from the relays and controls. However, repeated clicking can be a symptom of a failing control or thermostat.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). Credit/Copyright Attribution: “Christian Delbert/Shutterstock”

The Air Conditioner Needs Some End-of-Season Attention

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Near the end of a hot Oklahoma summer, it's tempting to let A/C maintenance slip to the bottom of your chores list. "It's just one or two more months," you think. "It'll get us by." But late summer and early fall is actually the perfect time to tune up your A/C. You'll get through the rest of the season without sweating, and it will be in good condition when you're ready to turn it on next spring. Below, find a few of our easy, energy-saving tips for maintaining your air conditioner at the end of its peak usage period.

• Flip that filter. At the end of the year, it's time to replace your filter (or wash it, if you have washable filters). This eliminates dust, pet hair and dirt that accumulate while the A/C runs. This is also a good time to check and make sure you're using a compatible filter for your machine.

• Freshen the fins, and check for obstructions. Take your garden hose and a nylon brush to clear the external fins of anything stuck to them: leaves, litter and grass. Step back and check out the surrounding plant life; try and keep hedges 10 feet away from the unit for maximum efficiency.

• Look for frayed wires. Check out your window unit's cords and make sure they aren't starting to wear or haven't been subject to chewing. If you see damage, replace the cords immediately.

• Order a tune-up. HVAC professionals can spot problems more easily than the average homeowner, so it's worth it to have someone come by once a year to give your air conditioner a checkup. They will check the coils, condenser, evaporator and other parts, add coolant, and just make sure everything's working properly. Though this can be done in the spring before the warm season begins, taking care of it in the fall means you're ahead of the game and ready for any unexpected indian summer days.

For more advice on end-of-season maintenance, contact Air Assurance in Broken Arrow. Serving the greater Tulsa area since 1985, we're prepared to answer all your HVAC inquiries.Normal0falsefalsefalseEN-USX-NONEX-NONE/* Style Definitions */table.MsoNormalTable{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;mso-style-noshow:yes;mso-style-priority:99;mso-style-parent:"";mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;mso-para-margin:0in;mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-pagination:widow-orphan;font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";}

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). 

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Phasing Out R-22: Costs Are Rising, Supplies Dwindling

Phasing Out R-22: Costs Are Rising, Supplies Dwindling

Air conditioners use refrigerant to cool indoor air that passes over the cold, refrigerant-filled coils. If your air conditioner was manufactured prior to 2010, there is a good chance it requires R-22 refrigerant, which means you will begin to notice continuing annual increases in maintenance costs because supplies of R-22 are dwindling.R-22 refrigerant is a hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HFC) that emits ozone-depleting chlorine. As such, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set strict limitations on it's production for use in commercial and residential A/Cs through 2020. After that, the only way to recharge equipment requiring R-22 will be to capture and recycle it from phased out units. The extra labor costs, as well as the rising refrigerant costs due to lack of supply, will be transferred directly to the consumer.To give you an idea of how this has affected the HVAC industry:

• As of 2010, manufacturing HVAC equipment requiring the use of R-22 has been prohibited.

• Newer air conditioning systems are being manufactured to be compatible with refrigerants that are less harmful to the ozone, predominantly R410A.

• R-22 production is being increasingly limited. In 2011 the EPA permitted 100 million pounds of virgin R-22 to be brought to the market. In 2013, that number is reduced to 39 millions pounds. By 2020 it will no longer be manufactured.

To prepare for the R-22 phaseout:Verify the type of refrigerant you need. If you haven't scheduled your A/C maintenance yet, now is a good time to make an appointment. Ask the technician whether or not your unit requires the use of R-22. If it does, you will need to begin preparing for increasing refrigerant costs over the next several years.Replacement in coming years. If your unit was made prior to 2010 and it requires R-22, you should begin thinking about an eventual replacement.Beware of alternative refrigerant options. You may have read alternative refrigerants, such as R-407C, R-438A and R-422 are compatible in an R-22 system. Unfortunately, they can seriously compromise your equipment.Contact Air Assurance to learn more about your options during the R-22 phaseout. We're dedicated to helping Tulsa-area residents find cost-effective HVAC solutions.Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  Image courtesy of Shutterstock

Scheduling A/C Maintenance: A Spring Checklist for You and Your Technician

Scheduling A/C Maintenance: A Spring Checklist for You and Your Technician

Temperatures will be soaring in the Tulsa area in a few months, and you'll be using your air conditioner daily. Now is the ideal time to tend to your A/C maintenance, as it will ensure that you have your cooling system in tip-top shape when you need it. Actually, A/C maintenance is a two-person job. There are things that you can do yourself. Other tasks are best left to your qualified HVAC-system technician. Here are some of the tasks that you can do yourself.

• Replace your A/C filter (or clean it, if that's what your system calls for). Then check it regularly during the cooling season and change it as needed. A dirty filter can spike your energy consumption, because your furnace must work harder than it should. This raises your energy bills and can ultimately lead to breakdowns and repair costs.

• Check the outside condenser unit. Hose it off and clear away all vegetation and anything else that's in it way, such as children's toys. The space around the condensing unit, including the space above, should be entirely clear.

• Make sure the pad underneath the condenser is level.

• Inside your home, check all registers, and make sure they're free of obstructions.

Here's what your A/C technician will do when he tunes up your unit:

• Check the refrigerant and make sure it's sufficient. He'll also check for any leaks. If necessary, he'll replace the refrigerant.

• Clean and tighten all electrical connections.

• Make sure the control sequences are in working order and correct any problems.

• Check all belts for tightness.

• Oil the motor.

• Check and calibrate the thermostat.

• Measure the airflow.

• Check ductwork for leakage.

• Make recommendations to make your system more efficient, or suggest options that would provide a safer more healthy indoor environment.

Taking care of your A/C maintenance now will help to prevent any problems this summer. And making a habit of tending to your unit will lengthen the life of your system. Have questions about A/C maintenance? Contact the experts at Air Assurance. We keep homeowners in greater Tulsa warm in the winter and cool in the summer.Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). Image courtesy of Shutterstock