Some noises coming from the AC unit are easy to tolerate, especially when they don't affect indoor comfort. However, a rattling noise can be loud and alarming. So, if you have been experiencing it with your system, it is time to assess internal components to prevent imminent failure. In such a case, the first step in the process should be establishing the common reasons why your unit might make the noise. Here are the most common causes and how an HVAC repair technician can help.

Accumulation of Debris Inside the Unit

The part of the AC unit placed outside has numerous gaps in its protective casing. Ultimately, this makes it vulnerable to the infiltration of elements such as foliage, branches, stones, and soil. Note that once these items settle on various components, they will create a rattling sound. So, make sure nothing gets stuck in the unit's mesh when trimming any vegetation that may have grown around it. Also, you want to keep all vegetation a few feet away from the unit at all times. In addition, you should remove the outer casing and clean the interior unit properly to eliminate the noise.

Loose Screws on the Covering

It's possible that someone opened the casing of your outdoor unit and forgot to replace it after. Note that your unit's panel has several sheet metal or machine screws, some of which are self-tapping, to secure the cover. As such, the vibrations from the fan motor might loosen these screws further if you placed them incorrectly or failed to tighten them as required. The good news is that adjusting the unit's casing will solve the problem and eliminate the noise. However, if the AC unit still rattles after securing the cover panel, an AC repair expert will service the entire unit by checking problematic components.

Damaged Panel from Loose Screws

Bearings in motors are subject to natural wear, or they may dry out due to poor maintenance. Additionally, they may incur damage by coming into contact with a foreign object. When this happens, you will notice odd noises signaling that all is not well with your unit. Also, if the motor shaft is twisted too far, it can cause the gears and other moving elements to generate a horrible rattling noise. When this happens, you will need an HVAC repair expert to replace the problematic fan motor. On the other hand, failure to resolve the problem can easily cause a system shutdown.

These are some of the issues that could cause your AC unit to rattle as it runs. Note that you should leave the repairs to a heating and air conditioning repair technician instead of handling it as a do-it-yourself project. This is because the experts will know how to solve all complications without causing further unit damage.

For more information, contact HVAC contractors near you.