Why Is Your AC Unit Shaking in Johnsburg, IL?

Summer has come to Johnsburg, so you look to your trusty air conditioner to keep your home nice and cool. But when you turn the unit on, it rattles and shakes violently. Alarmed, you wonder, “Why is my AC unit shaking, and how do I make it stop?”

Below, you’ll learn the top causes of a vibrating air conditioner and what to do about them. Need cooling repair now? Call us for AC services in Johnsburg, IL, you can depend on.

Why Is My AC Unit Shaking? Top Causes of an AC Unit Vibrating in Johnsburg

If your air conditioner is shaking, the cause is usually either a mechanical problem, stuck debris, or loose parts in your AC unit. Here’s how to diagnose the issue with your cooling system.

Debris Stuck in the Outdoor Unit

Most homeowners in Johnsburg don’t pay much attention to their outdoor cooling units, but it’s easy for dirt, leaves, weeds, and other debris to get stuck in the unit and cause problems, including vibrating.

To determine if this is the problem you have, inspect the outdoor unit for blockages. If you find plant growth blocking the unit, cut it back and rinse off any mud stuck on the unit with a garden hose.

In some cases, you won’t be able to reach the blockage without opening the unit. Opening your outdoor unit isn’t difficult, but if you’re uncomfortable doing so, call an HVAC technician for maintenance.

An Unbalanced AC Fan Blade

“Why is my AC unit shaking?” That rattling noise you hear could be the sound of the fan wobbling inside your unit. The job of the fan in your air conditioner is to push air across the coils. Over time, the fan can become loose and unbalanced, causing it to produce an annoying rattling noise when the system is in operation.

To troubleshoot the issue, shut off the power to the system and open the cover. Inside, you’ll see the fan. Grab it firmly and try to move it around. If the fan wobbles when you spin it, it’s unbalanced. You may be able to fix the issue by tightening the fan’s connections.

A Worn-Out AC Fan Motor

Even if your fan doesn’t wobble when you try the above test, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s not the source of your problem. The fan’s motor may be wearing out, which can cause the fan to spin unevenly and make a rattling noise.

There’s no way to tell if the fan motor is going bad just by looking at it; you’ll need to call an HVAC expert to test the motor for you. If the motor is failing, a technician can either repair it or replace your cooling unit.

Frozen AC Unit Vibration

Still wondering, “Why is my AC unit shaking?” Frozen coils could be the culprit.

Your air conditioner contains two coils, the condenser and evaporator coil, that help move the refrigerant throughout the system. When these coils get dirty, the system can struggle to do its job. In some cases, the coils can freeze over. You might hear a loud rattling and banging sound before the unit stops working entirely.

If your coils are frozen, you’ll first need to defrost them. Shut off the power to the unit to give the ice a chance to melt. Depending on the temperature outside, this could take up to 24 hours.

Once the ice on the coils has thawed, you’ll need to give them a thorough cleaning to remove caked-on grime. It’s safest to have an HVAC technician do this for you as part of regular maintenance.

A Dirty Air Filter

Just as your air conditioner can rattle if the coils are dirty, it can also shake violently if the air filter becomes clogged with debris. Many homeowners in Johnsburg forget to change their air filters, which become blocked with dirt, hair, pet dander, and other detritus. A clogged air filter makes it harder for your cooling system to run properly, resulting in a noisy operation.

To avoid issues, schedule regular AC filter replacement. Pull out your air filter and look at the color. If it’s gray or black, it’s time for a replacement filter. On average, it’s best to replace your filter every 30 to 90 days.