Name That Tune: What a Humming Air Conditioner Means

All air conditioners make noise as they run, mainly from the blower fans and the compressors. When the dominant sound is a humming air conditioner, odds are, something isn’t working as it should. The most common problems associated with the humming sound include:

Indoor Noises

• When you hear humming sounds from the air handler, it may be caused by a frozen motor. Some blower motors require periodic lubrication to keep their bearings turning smoothly. A lack of oil will seize the bearings and prevent the motor’s shaft from turning. It could conceivably run until it burns out.

• Humming from the breaker box. Whenever you hear humming sounds near the circuit breaker panel, suspect a serious electrical problem and turn off the noisy breaker. If you can’t identify which, turn off the main breaker and contact a licensed electrician immediately.

Outdoors

A humming sound is much more likely to originate in the outdoor condenser and it could be coming from:

• The compressor. This part does the heavy lifting in cooling systems and it could hum or buzz when it’s at the end of its lifetime. It could also indicate an electrical problem involving the compressor.Compressors sit on rubber isolation feet that can wear out or crack. Damaged feet can cause the compressor vibrations to amplify and cause humming sounds.

• Frozen coil. It might seem counterintuitive, but a humming air conditioner may have a frozen coil. Coils freeze when the refrigerant level is too low or they’re too dirty. A frozen coil can do serious damage to a heat pump or A/C should the compressor continue to run.

• Fan problems. The condenser uses a large fan to blow the heat off the hot refrigerant. There could be a problem with its motor or the fan blade, which could be loose or bent.

Whenever you hear a humming air conditioner and it’s not working as it should or the sound is isn’t part of its normal operation, contact the pros at Air Assurance to diagnose and fix it. We proudly provide HVAC services for Broken Arrow homeowners.

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). For more information about other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273.

Troubleshooting for Air Conditioners

There are so many parts and components to your air conditioner system, you may not know how to begin to fix it should something go wrong. While most A/C problems require the expertise of your HVAC pro, there are some issues that you may troubleshoot before making the call.

Troubleshooting Tips

Is your thermostat in the "cool" position? Check one more time to make sure. If your A/C isn't powering on, check to see if a breaker has tripped inside the circuit box.One of the most basic components of your A/C, yet one of the most important, is the air filter. A clogged air filter may cause your unit to run off and on repeatedly, overheat other parts, and even cause early failure. Take a look at your filter, which is typically located behind the return grille, to see if it needs to be changed.Next on your troubleshooting list is the outdoor unit. If weeds, leaves, grass clippings, and/or other obstructions are blocking free airflow to the unit, it won't be able to cool as it should.

Professional Service

Your A/C relies on electrical parts and signals for it to operate correctly. So, if your unit isn't powering on, and the circuit breaker is fine, your HVAC pro needs to be called. Other problems that require professional diagnostics are unusual noises, such as grinding, squealing, rattling, or thumping. If your system is making any of these noises, turn it off and call your HVAC pro.There are many possible problems relating your A/C unit if it is operating but not cooling. Your HVAC pro should check the following:

• Refrigerant charge needs to be measured to ensure optimal levels.

• Diagnostic tests are performed on the compressor to detect faulty parts.

• The blower motor is tested as well.

• The drainage system and evaporator coil are inspected for obstructions that could make your system leak water.

If your air conditioner is on the fritz, don't sweat it! Contact the professionals at Air Assurance for immediate service. We've proudly served homeowners of Broken Arrow and surrounding areas for more than 30 years!

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: “geralt/pixabay"

Common Air Conditioner Problems That You Should Be Aware Of

You may be aware that your air conditioner is not performing well, and, with the hot Oklahoma summer arriving soon, it is essential to get any problems sorted out. What are the most common air conditioner problems?

Before tackling any problems, it's good to know the basics of how an air conditioner works and what its components are, so make sure to do a little research.

Historical Problems

If you live in a home that was built many years ago, and if it has an air conditioner that is older than 10 years, you may find that it the HVAC system was poorly installed or that you have a refrigerant leak. You should call on the professionals to assess your system.

If your air conditioner does not work, check fuses and circuit breakers in your main electricity box, and replace or reset them if necessary. Wait about five minutes before you reset breakers to allow your air con to cool down.

Drainage Obstructions

Condensate drains may get blocked, so check them to make sure they're draining properly.

Sensor Issues

The sensor, found behind the control panel of a room air conditioner, may be out of position and cause the unit to cycle all the time. The sensor should be near the coil but not touching it.

Control Failure

The fan and compressor controls wear out, particularly if the air conditioner is continually cycling, which tends to happen if the system is oversized. Corrosion can also occur and needs to be attended to.

Insufficient Maintenance

Regular preventive maintenance is imperative if you want to avoid the most common air conditioner problems that arise, and there are a few things you can do yourself like cleaning filters and coils. Of course, you may find that what you really need is a new, energy-efficient air conditioner unit and, if so, speak to your air conditioner provider about which is the best one to buy.

To find out more about common air conditioner problems or any other HVAC-related issues, contact Air Assurance today. We've been serving residents in the Broken Arrow area since 1985.

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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