[wthdideyedo]

I'm in Texas in a home built in 99. I was outside mowing the lawn today, and from the front yard, I heard what sounded like a loud humming kind of a buzzing sound. Not sure how to describe it, but it was changing tones and volume roughly every 5-10 seconds. The best I could probably describe it was when you're near power lines and you can hear them, it was several times louder than that. It was loud enough it was hurting my ears when I got back there. I don't think it lasted very long, and just now I turned the AC back on for a few minutes and didn't hear it again.

The AC is original, and from how I understand this TRANE AC should be about the end of its life. I have been here 8 months, and run my AC almost constantly, at least when I sleep. It was part of the home purchase to get a home warranty, (I realize I should re read the fine print, as I write this). The home warranty is good for another few months. Would that sound be a warning sign this is thing is about to go? I wasn't planning on getting the warranty for another year, but do I have to now consider it? Is there any way to check on what it is or the condition, especially without having to pay for a service call. Thank you.

 

[roughneck]

Is this a packaged unit or split?
May be the contactor if it was calling to run. Or if it’s a packaged unit it could be the transformer.

 

[user_12345a]

This belongs in the hvac subforum.

The most likely cause of this is a failing contactor. $30 part.

Next time you hear loud buzzing, shut the power to the outdoor unit but leave the indoor unit on. If the buzzing persists, it's the contactor - or if it's a heatpump, potentially the fan relay on the defrost board.

Don't waste your money extending the warranty.

Pay for simple repairs and maintenance directly - replace when the compressor goes bad or it springs a refrigerant leak.

 

[wthdideyedo]

Is this a packaged unit or split?
May be the contactor if it was calling to run. Or if it’s a packaged unit it could be the transformer.

I'm not sure what the difference is. I think its split. The furnace is on the inside, and outside just looks like its the fan part in a roughly 2ft cube with grating around it.

This belongs in the hvac subforum.

The most likely cause of this is a failing contactor. $30 part.

Next time you hear loud buzzing, shut the power to the outdoor unit but leave the indoor unit on. If the buzzing persists, it's the contactor - or if it's a heatpump, potentially the fan relay on the defrost board.

Don't waste your money extending the warranty.

Pay for simple repairs and maintenance directly - replace when the compressor goes bad or it springs a refrigerant leak.

I know the AC and furnace are on separate breakers. From what I remember, the home warranty will provide 3 or 4 service calls free of charge a year, if I go through them. This sounds like I should just get a service call and see if they will come out and do a simple repair for free, but no matter how it goes, it shouldn't be a serious concern.

I watched a couple youtube videos on replacing a contactor. I have been doing all the switches and outlets around the house, after videos and reading. It seems easy enough to replace the contactor, and a cheap enough part.

I think my plan now is to go find the warranty paperwork, and see if they will come out and take a look or fix it for free. If they won't, it was basically shut off the AC breaker, remove the panel, (take a picture of the wiring for a backup), then remove and replace the contactor. It seemed like a cheap enough part, that I should go ahead and do it anyways.

Thank you. I feel much better about this. An hour ago, I was worried I might be spending a few thousand for a new AC, and now I feel like at worst case, it should be a $20-$30 part and an easy fix.

 

[roughneck]

Be very careful with home warranty service. They often end up as horror stories. Many times the so called “tech” actually breaks the unit worse rather then fixing it.
Many warranty companies hire techs based on how cheap they will work, so whomever shows up may very well just be the cheapest body they can find.
I consider them a bit of a scam.
My father in law and neighbor both tried to use warranty service for hvac issues and both wound up being disasters.
At the least they work so cheap they will try and find things they can up charge on to fix, to make up for the money they are otherwise loosing.

 

[wthdideyedo]

I'll keep that in mind, and see what they can tell me. I doubt I get to pick who. I will make sure I can search BBB.org and look for reviews while I'm on the phone with them.

I really need to read that warranty fine print. I have zero problems with standing over the repair tech and recording with my phone.

 

[Photobug]

What, air conditioning in February?

It has warmed up this week it is 26 degrees out now. Monday predicted to be -5.

 

[wthdideyedo]

Its been fluctuating here. Its been a high in the 40s, then a couple days later its a high in the 70s. Its a high in the 50s today, and in a few days we will be in the 80s then back to the 50s. Its kind of nice.

Year round I like it 74 inside and 67 when I sleep with my two heavy blankets.

 

[Photobug]

Its been fluctuating here. Its been a high in the 40s, then a couple days later its a high in the 70s. Its a high in the 50s today, and in a few days we will be in the 80s then back to the 50s.

You are describing summer temps in Wyoming.

 

[wthdideyedo]

You are describing summer temps in Wyoming.

sure am.. :vs_smirk:

 

[wthdideyedo]

Got to thinkin about this: So just curious... The videos made this sound like if the contactor goes bad it could force it to stay on, and that could cause a major problem. Its 20 years old, and from what I understand, near the end of its expected life.

Is there any reason, I purposely shouldn't fix this now? Especially since the warranty will be over before the summer really kicks in. I can give it a couple more months while its still under the warranty, and almost hope it brakes something worse, just so they can replace it on their dime? Once the warranty is over I can fix it the next day. For now, just see if a: compressor, the entire AC, or some other expensive component goes out, just so their the ones that have to replace it?

I'm not going to try to make it break. I think I probably COULD fix it, but I just don't feel obligated to start pro-actively fixing parts just because I'm someone who is willing to try to research, and willing to try to fix it.

 

[roughneck]

You absolutely do not want a warranty company doing a system replacement.
It’s also unreasonable to think you’ll basically get a free new system.
If anything it will most likely be hacked in.
The installing contractor will make the difference in how your unit runs and performs. And I’ve simply not seen such work out of any warranty contractor over my 19 years in the trade.
First, you’ll need to dive in and see what’s buzzing.

 

[user_12345a]

just get it fixed - it's stupid to replace even a 19 year old unit because it has a bad contactor.

buzzing noise is caused by a failing contactor coil, not the contacts sticking.

 

[LeahHodgese]

I can recommend you better call a specialist and see what's the problem. This can be caused because of a lot of factors so it would be better if you will address to professionals and they will already tell you want's wrong before you broke it even more. If you need a good company then address https://www.socool.sg/, they always help me when I have a problem or want to buy and install a new A/C. I am using their services for already more than 3 years and didn't meet with any problem till now.

 

[BayouRunner]

I can recommend you better to call a specialist and see what's the problem.

It’s been 10 months. I think he’s figured it out by now