The air conditioning system in your home can produce a variety of sounds from various sources. Not all noises indicate that you require HVAC repair. Some, like an object stuck in the air ducts rattling around when the air flows through, are pretty innocuous. Knowing what sounds you hear might help you anticipate what to expect when you call a specialist to service your unit.

An air conditioner can create a variety of noises, each of which originates from a distinct source. If you hear a crackling noise coming from inside the unit, it might be anything as simple as a paper bag caught inside, or it could be something more dangerous like an electrical fire.

A cracking or popping noise in your air conditioner is frequently caused by moisture or icing, although this isn’t always the case. We’ll go over both the potentially harmless and the more serious reasons for cracking/popping noises in this article. We’ll also talk about how you can solve them. You may not need to call a professional to address your problem in some circumstances.

Rare or Occasional Popping Noises May Not Be a Big Deal

The first question we ask individuals who hear cracking or popping noises coming from their air conditioner is how often they hear it.

Ductwork

If you only hear this noise now and again, usually right after the air conditioner turns on, it could simply be the duct expanding due to temperature. This is particularly true if the noise is metallic and echoey as if it were made by someone tapping on a large sheet of metal.

Ductworks deteriorate with age, and the ductwork may shake when the AC unit is operating. This is most certainly the case if your home is older. Newer homes, on the other hand, can have issues as well. In reality, AC noises can be heard in newly built homes when the ductwork isn’t correctly attached and vibrates in attics, basements, and vent hoods.

How to solve:- If you are living in an old building then you need to replace the ductwork to fix this problem. In case you are hearing this crackling noise in your new house then ask a professional to pay a visit and check the ductwork.

Wiring Issues

Crackling from inside the main unit could indicate a significant problem, such as an electrical fire, especially if the sound is accompanied by a strange odor. A fire could start if a neutral wire and a hot wire, or two hot wires, meet at the connection location of the wires on the air conditioner unit. The hot wires that supply electricity to the unit are normally coated with insulation to prevent naked wires from accidentally touching. To ensure a suitable connection, the insulation on the wires is removed at the point where they are linked to the terminals on the air conditioner. Two wires in the power supply lines between the circuit breaker and the air conditioner may be contacting or there may be wire damage at this point. Turn off the power supply instantly if you believe two wires are connecting.

Debris

The outer unit of your air conditioner will most likely gather dust and debris over time. When your expert does routine maintenance, he or she will clean the whole system. It is, however, your responsibility to maintain your air conditioner clean. Clearing trash from your exterior condenser is simple and can greatly benefit your system.

Various materials, such as plastic bags, newspaper, and other crackly objects, can get sucked into the unit through the intake grills and wrap around the fan’s component, causing crackling or crunching noises every time the fan turns on. To remove the source of the noise, turn off the air conditioner, remove the fan-housing panel, and check the area surrounding the fan housing. Remove any debris you find to reduce the sound and keep the fan’s motor from overheating.

Ongoing Cracking or Popping Noises

Unfortunately, cracking or popping sounds can sometimes indicate a more serious problem that has to be handled as soon as possible.  these noises occur frequently or throughout the time the air conditioner is running, one of these two problems is likely to be the cause:

The unit is icing up

Cracking and popping noises are frequently caused by ice developing inside the device. This can happen if the temperature is too low or if the drain isn’t working properly. When ice forms on the AC unit, a sensor detects it and turns it off to thaw it off. The sound of ice splitting and falling through your system then reverberates throughout your system. Set your thermostat to a warmer temperature to see if this is the problem. You might be fine if the noises stop. If they return after a short time, there’s likely an issue with the unit, and you’ll need a specialist to fix it.

Check the drain by removing the removable drain pan. If the pan is full of water and the drain is clogged, clear it out so it can drain properly. This will avoid a backup of cold water, which could cause the unit to freeze. Always refer to your owner’s handbook for instructions before attempting to access the compressor unit.

Water in the unit

Water can create major glitches and damage, as well as cracking or popping noises if it gets inside the vital parts of your air conditioner. If your noise began shortly after a major rainstorm, this is the most likely explanation. If you suspect this is the issue, turn off the unit and disconnect the power supply before proceeding.

Once the power is turned off, visually inspect the outdoor unit for evidence of debris or anything else that might be obstructing the flow of water. If there’s a drain pan nearby, you can carefully inspect it to verify if it’s draining adequately.

If there is water in the unit, it is most likely deep inside the more sensitive components that are generally protected from rain. To handle it, you’ll need to contact a specialist.

There are many other possibilities as well. The noise could be caused by anything from a bent fan blade to low oil in the compressor. Unusual noises in your air conditioner should be checked right away since they won’t go away on their own—and the problem will typically get worse. In most cases, a little repair today is significantly less expensive than a severe breakdown later.