How To Stop AC Vibration-The Ultimate Guide

Now that summer has arrived, we might have finally realized that a metal object up our roof AC exists! But you are frustrated because your AC is vibrating too much. And I want to get rid of the vibration and noise. Read along as we discuss exactly how to do that.

If your AC is vibrating a lot, it could be that the insides haven’t been cleaned for a while. Small pieces of debris, dust, or lint may get trapped within the motors and fan blades. This could cause the moving parts to face difficulties in functioning as normal. Open the front cover of your AC and clean it with a damp cloth, especially the fan blades and motors.

However, AC vibration could hint that something is wrong. And some things need immediate attention. We promise, if you read along, you could potentially save your AC from unwanted damage before it’s too late!

Contents

What Causes AC To Vibrate And Make Noise? With Some Possible Solutions Of How To Stop AC Vibration

Time for us to dive deeper into the problems and their solutions-

Normal Vibrations Due To Internal Rotating Parts

Usually, ACs would vibrate as there are moving parts working while it’s turned on. Some low-level noise, usually around 25-55 decibels. Even so, that low-level noise could be sometimes annoying.

To get rid of that, you could perhaps consider investing in some vibration pads. Or even other sound-cancelling tools like sound blankets could be of help to deafen the vibration.

Loose Joints And Bolts

As we mentioned above, dust and lint could disrupt the internal moving parts. As well as that, another common reason could be loose screws and bolts. Due to years of operation, some parts of your AC, due to normal vibration, could loosen up. As they slowly come off, they can make rattling noises.

Open your AC’s outer casing and examine all the parts; motors, fans, connectors, wires: are they all fastened tight in their places? If you see any potentially loose screws, then tighten them. This should get rid of the unwanted vibration.

However, if you are unsure which screws you should get your hands on, you should always call in a professional. Mishandling internal AC components could potentially cause more harm than good.

Maybe Take A Look At The Fan Blades?

Another problem that could contribute to increased vibration is damaged fan blades. The fan blades could get chipped off or have dust collected over them. As a result, the blades aren’t balanced and can’t rotate properly, which gives rise to vibration and noises.

The fan blade could also come off loose from its motor. Simply tightening the screws could get rid of the vibration.

Blades could also be hit by foreign objects entering the AC and breaking the blades. If that is the case, you would have to replace the fan blades. If the blades are in proper shape, consider giving them a good, gentle wipe.

And On To The More Serious Potential Issues Which Is In The Compressor

In worst-case scenarios, the problem could lie in your air conditioner’s compressor.

What does the compressor do? It ensures that the refrigerant is at the right temperature and pressure so that the AC does a proper job at cooling your house.

Refrigerant leaks into other parts could freeze them, causing difficulties in operation and hence all the vibration. The compressor itself would make some humming noise. But if the vibration is abnormally high, or at worst, making banging noises, chances are your compressor has some severe issues.

Some manufacturers could tighten the compressors in their ACs, and as such, the entire AC unit could vibrate with the compressor. Loosen the screws connecting the compressor. It would be a cylinder-shaped component that doesn’t have external moving parts.

In some cases, your compressor could even make some high-pitched squealing noise when turned on. This indicates pressure built up in the component. Turn your AC off immediately, as it could cause an explosion.

If there seems to be any problem with the compressor itself, it is best for you to not intervene. The compressor contains dangerous chemicals, which, if mishandled, could be hazardous. In such cases, call a qualified technician to investigate and solve the problem.

The Fan Motor

Sometimes your AC’s fan motor could be the culprit. Years of continuous use could wear and tear its parts due to friction and, as such, cause excessive vibration. A broken fan motor would need to be replaced, and it could be costly.

Or, maybe too much friction is causing the motor to not work efficiently enough and vibrate about. Add a few drops of lubricant oil to the base of the fan blades. The oil would pour into the base where the motor connects to the blades.

Loose Ducts And Vents

The ducts and vents, passing air throughout, could cause them to come off loose. And they could be a contributing cause to your AC vibrating. Any loose ducts or vents should be tightened properly again. Some connectors could come off loose or become deformed due to ages of use.

In those cases of damaged parts, you would need to replace them. If you don’t know how to do so, call a qualified technician to do that for you. If you can hear whistling or hissing noises as you turn on your AC, good chances are your duct has come off loose and needs proper reinstallation.

Internal Electrical Component Failure

Furthermore, electrical components are also susceptible to failure. For example, you could turn on your AC, and it doesn’t work but makes a humming noise and vibrates. Or it could be that your AC is making intermittent clicking noises.

These indicate potential electrical component failures, like a broken relay switch or capacitor. Or electrical signals are not being transmitted properly. Whatever it is, unless you are a qualified electrician, do not attempt to fix this problem on your own. You could unintentionally harm yourself, damage the AC beyond repair, or both if your luck is bad.

FAQ

When do I know if I should rather get a new AC or fix your existing one?

All ACs have a certain lifetime, beyond which you should not stretch their life expectancy. Ideally, it is 10 years. If your AC is relatively new, say a year or two, and you see major faults, it’s better to get them fixed.

Else if your AC has crossed a decade’s anniversary, you should probably let it go. Else fixing an old AC over and over would cost you more money, with which you would rather be better off buying a new one.

Should I fix my AC by myself?

As we mentioned above, you could do some basic work like cleaning or removing debris by yourself in some cases. But for the more technical issues concerning the compressor or ducts, you should rather not intervene. These are sensitive parts, mishandling them could damage the AC, or even injure you. So better be safe than sorry and call in a technician in case of doubt.

How do I stop window AC vibration?

Some ACs are mounted just below the windows for those who are unfamiliar. Aside from the steps and suggestions we put forward, you could also check if one of your window panes has come off loose. If you see a loose windowpane, fasten them into the frame by caulking them both internally and externally.

Final Words

A vibrating AC unit in the summer could be really worrying. As we have seen, the vibration could indicate hidden, major issues that could damage your AC in the long run.

While low-level vibration is expected, they are the easiest to solve. Install anti-vibration pads, usually of rubber, properly or cover the unit with soundproof blankets. More advanced problems could involve dirty cleaning coils, unclogging drain lines, or vacuuming dust from wires and vents.

Even more complicated problems could be due to internal component failure, in which situation qualified supervision is a must. And we realize that is the last thing anyone would want, as it could warrant days or weeks of summer without AC.

Either way, we hope this article has helped you on how to stop AC vibration very easily.