Why is my AC making a squealing noise?

You happen to be outside – either walking to your car or taking care of some yard work – when you hear your AC turn on, but something isn’t quite right. You hear a high-pitched squealing that you’ve never heard before. And it makes you wonder….

What is that squealing?

If your HVAC is an older unit that still has a belt system, it is possible that the belts have either been worn down and need to be replaced, or they’ve slipped and need to be replaced. If you hear the squealing noise in your vents, as well, it’s likely a belt issue. Call McCoy’s, and an HVAC technician will be able to repair the belts or recommend another unit, as appropriate.

My unit doesn’t have a belt!

This is totally normal for most newer units. In this case, the squealing is likely coming from the compressor. Newer units use direct-drive motors, which use fans to pull air across condenser coils. The squealing in this scenario is usually from fan motor bearings, which means the motor will have to be replaced.

Could it be something else?

If your unit has been off for a while, such as switching from cool spring temperatures to blistering summer, it’s possible the unit is just warming itself back up after being unused. The squealing caused by this is pretty faint, though, so if you notice a louder noise or if the noise lasts longer than a few minutes, it’s a sign something more serious has gone wrong.

For questions, inspections, and additional guidance, reach out to McCoy’s today!