Decoding Noises That Go Bump in the Night
October—the month of tricks and treats and pumpkin spice everything—is finally upon us! We know we’re not the first to say this is our favorite time of year, but there really is something magical about autumn in Texas. The blistering temps have somewhat subsided, the state is abuzz with all things college football and Friday Night Lights and the holidays are right around the corner, beginning with Halloween.
Now, we don’t want to scare you, but did you know that sounds emanating from your cooling or heating system can be a cry for help? Or at the very least, a service visit! Take it from the pros at Blue Ribbon who specialize in AC repairs in the greater Bastrop area, we’ve heard it all. A quick visit from our team is usually all it takes to identify the problem and offer winning, Blue Ribbon solutions.
House of Horrors?
Obviously, something with as many moving parts as your cooling and heating system is likely to make some noise from time to time. But when those sounds become consistent or constant or are even ghastly in nature, it may be time to reach out to a professional. We’ve compiled some of the most common noises that, potentially, have the most serious causes. And we’re here to tell you, it doesn’t need to be Halloween for some of these sounds to scare the bejeezus out of any homeowner! So, let’s run down the list of spooky noises and their potential causes before you settle in for a night of popcorn, fun-size candy bars and horror flicks.
- Shake, Rattle, Roll. Is there a rattling coming from your system that frightens you down to your bones? It may be the skeleton in the corner, but rattling could also indicate that a component has come loose within the system, debris is caught somewhere or that your motor may be damaged.
- Murder Hornets? Not Again. If you hear buzzing coming from your system, no need to grab the bug spray or a flyswatter! This is more than likely a refrigerant leak or other refrigerant issue, a condenser fan issue or a compressor malfunction.
- Click Bait. While some clicking sounds can be benign, such as when your system is powering up or down, frequent clicking after your system has been running for a while can spell signs of trouble. These could be caused by an electrical issue or compressor failure.
- What a Grind. If you’re hearing grinding sounds straight out of the “Texas Chainsaw Massacre,” you may be listening to the results of a damaged blower fan, AC compressor valve or condenser fan bearing.
- Freaky Shrieks. Are you hearing what sounds like screeching or screaming coming from your AC? Yikes! No need to schedule an exorcism … yet … but these sounds point to issues with either your fan motor or compressor.
- “Why Did It Have To Be Snakes?” Relax, Indy, no actual snakes here! But if you hear hissing coming from your AC, this sound is most likely caused by a refrigerant leak. Since refrigerant is harmful to people and the environment, you’re not going to want to wait to call in the Blue Ribbon experts to take care of this slippery situation.
- What Was That? Do you hear thumping or banging sounds coming from your system? Not only are these likely to make you glad you have 911 on speed dial, they are also sounds that should probably not be ignored. Anything from a loose blower fan to ductwork damage to a malfunctioning AC compressor can be responsible for these unsettling sounds.
Don’t wait until things reach frightening levels before you take action and call in the friendly team at Blue Ribbon!
Medal-Winning Service From Blue Ribbon
While we bask in another glorious fall, please don’t forget that winter is right around the corner. And while “winter” looks and feels a little different ‘round here, Blue Ribbon is committed to your comfort year-round. When you’re ready to schedule furnace maintenance in the greater Austin area so you breeze through winter, we’re here for you. Our highly trained Blue Ribbon technicians deliver first-rate cooling, heating, plumbing and electrical services. Call us at 512.866.9161 or contact us through our website to schedule an appointment.