Central air conditioning is available in more homes than ever, and with rising summer temperatures, more homeowners are relying on it for comfort. If you're fairly new to having a central air conditioning system, it can be hard to determine when you might need to call an AC repair technician. All too often, early indications of trouble are overlooked due to a lack of understanding the system. Here's a look at some noises you might hear from your air conditioner that indicate you need an AC repair technician as soon as possible.

Hissing Or Whistling

If you hear hissing or whistling sounds coming from your air conditioning condenser outside, that's a sure sign that you're in need of AC repair. Usually, these sounds are an indication that your air conditioner is leaking refrigerant. 

When left unaddressed, your system will eventually run low on refrigerant and be unable to cool the air coming into your home. As a result, it will work harder, potentially straining other components and causing premature failures.

As soon as you hear a sound like this, you should call an AC repair technician. They will isolate the location of the leak, repair the damage, and then recharge your AC system to ensure that the refrigerant levels are correct.

Sharp Squeals

As with anything else that's belt-driven, squeals coming from your air conditioning condenser usually indicate that the belt has slipped, suffered damage, or is dry and in need of lubrication or replacement. If you hear this kind of sound from your air conditioner, turn the unit off right away and call an AC repair technician.

When possible, the belt can be lubricated to restore proper movement and eliminate the friction that's causing the noise. In some cases, you may need to have the belt replaced entirely in order to address the problem.

Knocking, Banging, Or Rattling

Any kind of knocking, banging, or rattling from your air conditioning condenser indicates that your unit has a loose component somewhere. Whether it's the blower fan, a motor component, or another internal part, you'll need to address this as soon as you can. If you don't address a loose part right away, you risk having it break off and damage other parts inside the air conditioner. 

These are a few of the key indications that your air conditioner is in need of attention. Reach out to an AC repair technician as soon as you can to address the problem.

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