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What Causes Grinding Noises to Come From Your AC or Furnace

02/01/2024 | Comfort Zone of North Florida, Inc | HVAC

There are several reasons you might need to call for residential or commercial air conditioning service. One of those reasons is if your equipment begins making strange noises.

There are a number of possible explanations for these grinding noises, but whatever is causing the sound, it’s not something you should ignore. Call your licensed HVAC technician if you notice such noises, as they could have the following causes:

AC: Blower Fan Belt

Blower fan belts that have become loose or suffered damage can make grinding noises. This means the belt is rubbing against components of the air conditioner that it shouldn’t touch. Continuing to run your AC when this happens can lead to the belt damaging those parts or snapping and doing even more damage.

Don’t ignore this noise. Instead, if you hear it, stop using your AC immediately and call a professional air conditioning repair technician.

AC: Compressor

The grinding noise can also be due to a compressor that’s reached the end of its lifespan. The pistons that compress the refrigerant gas may be responsible for the sound. In this instance, it’s time to replace the compressor. Talk to your HVAC technician to find out if it’s wiser to install a new compressor or replace the AC.

Furnace: Blower Wheel

Furnaces have blower wheels. If this wheel comes loose from the motor wheel, you’ll hear a grinding noise. Call a professional to tighten the wheel or replace it if it’s broken. The motor mount can also break, causing the entire blower assembly to fall.

The blower belt can also come loose or begin to fray, creating a grinding or whining noise. There are parts of your furnace that also need oil for lubrication, such as the shaft bearings. If they’re in need of oil, they might make the same noise.

Always remember that it’s advisable to call a professional HVAC contractor to address any of these problems that might be causing your equipment to make a racket. Get in touch with Comfort Zone of North Florida. Call us today at these numbers: Jacksonville, FL, at (904) 3 75-9710; Orange Park, FL, at (904) 406-0070; and Yulee, FL, at (904) 579-3805. You can also contact us here.