How to Fix a Noisy Window Air Conditioner

An air conditioner is necessary for comfort on hot summer days and sweltering nights, and although central air conditioning is the preferred method of cooling a home, not all homes are equipped with this type of air conditioner. Many people rely on a window air conditioner to cool their homes and provide comfort when the days and nights are hot and unbearable. A window air conditioner is certainly a godsend for those who want relief from the heat, but when an air conditioner becomes unexplainably noisy, a window air conditioner is quite often more annoying than it is beneficial.

If your window air conditioner has become noisy and you’d like to fix your noisy window air conditioner before losing your mind, take a look at the following problems and solutions that will help you diagnose and fix your noisy window air conditioner. You don’t need to suffer with a noisy window air conditioner when you can easily fix your window air conditioner yourself. Most problems that cause window air conditioners to become noisy are easy to diagnose and even easier to fix.

The following are possible causes of a noisy window air conditioner. You don’t have to be an air conditioner specialist to diagnose and fix a noisy window air conditioner. More than likely your noisy window air conditioner is being exceptionally noisy because of one of the following reasons. Trying to fix your noisy window air conditioner instead of replacing it will help save money, and you’ll keep your cool in the process.

Unnecessary Vibration

Vibration may be the cause of a noisy window air conditioner. To check and see if vibration is causing your window air conditioner to be exceptionally noisy, while your noisy air conditioner is on, place your hand against the window glass. If your noisy window air conditioner changes its noisy tune when your hand is against the glass, place insulating cellophane tape in between the border of the glass and the window frame. Another option would be to putty the window again.

If the window glass isn’t causing excessive vibration, put pressure on the window sash. If your noisy air conditioner changes its pitch or seems to stop making an excessive racket, placing wood shims between the window frame and sash should control the unnecessary vibration and noise.

Loose Front Panel

Check to see if the front panel on your noisy window air conditioner is loose. This is quite often the source of noise when an air conditioner is exceptionally noisy. If the noise lessens, locate screws attaching the front panel, and tighten them. If you can’t locate screws, or the front panel isn’t held in place by screws, secure the front panel with duct tape. There are many different colors of duct tape available, so don’t assume you have to use the classic gray variety.

Bent Fan Blades

Fan blades that are bent are sometimes the source of noise in a noisy window unit. To check the blades of your window air conditioner, unplug the unit and remove it from the housing that surrounds it. Carefully spin the blades, and watch as they spin to see if they appear equal. If a blade appears to be out of alignment, provided it is metal, carefully bend it back into place. If a fan blade is touching the condenser fins, carefully bend it back into proper position.

Condenser Coil Pigtail Hitting the Housing

If the blades of the window air conditioner aren’t bent, the coil pigtail could be hitting the fan housing. The pigtail is a straight metal piece that sticks out horizontally from the condenser to the area that houses the condenser coils. While the air conditioner is still out of the housing, wiggle the air conditioner chassis. If the pigtail is hitting the fan housing, place a small piece of foam rubber between the housing and the pigtail. If the pigtail was in fact the source of the noise, your window air conditioner should no longer be excessively noisy. Fixing your noisy window air conditioner will help you keep your cool in more ways than one.