{"id":2557,"date":"2019-10-15T10:14:26","date_gmt":"2019-10-15T17:14:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lifeonroute.com\/?p=2557"},"modified":"2020-04-27T23:13:51","modified_gmt":"2020-04-28T06:13:51","slug":"rv-air-conditioner-hums","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lifeonroute.com\/rv-air-conditioner-hums\/","title":{"rendered":"My RV Air Conditioner Just Hums &#8211; Here\u2019s What to Do."},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>As RV owners, we are typically aware of the noises our rigs make. So much so that we can detect mystery sounds from the \u201cnormal\u201d ones right away. When you notice something humming, your investigator instinct immediately kicks in tracing that incessant sound back to wherever it came from. Oh no! Not the air conditioner!  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/lifeonroute.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/dreamstime_m_135385922-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Unhappy hard of hearing man placing hand on ear asking someone to speak up or listening to bad news isolated on gray background. Negative emotion facial expression feelings. Angry male trying to hear\" class=\"wp-image-2659\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lifeonroute.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/dreamstime_m_135385922-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/lifeonroute.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/dreamstime_m_135385922-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lifeonroute.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/dreamstime_m_135385922-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lifeonroute.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/dreamstime_m_135385922.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption>Photo ID 135385922 \u00a9 Marina Sharova | Dreamstime.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>So, why is my RV air conditioner just humming? <strong>An RV air conditioner that only hums can be a sign of many issues, including an easy to fix <a href=\"https:\/\/lifeonroute.com\/is-your-rv-thermostat-working\/\"  rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">thermostat<\/a> problem, oils freezing over, low coolant or a problem with your compressor. This sound may also indicate loose wiring, faulty electrical issues, or very simply telling you that you have dirty coils or a clogged drain.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Keep in mind that humming isn\u2019t the\nworst sound it could be making. But, ignoring that little hum can\nresult in much bigger problems, if you do not fix it. You probably\nwon\u2019t ignore it for long, especially if it\u2019s not blowing any cool\nair! Don\u2019t sweat it! With this guide, you will soon be able to\nchill out in front of an icy cold AC!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_63 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-662c3a8d3e3aa\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #5d7772;color:#5d7772\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #5d7772;color:#5d7772\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-662c3a8d3e3aa\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/lifeonroute.com\/rv-air-conditioner-hums\/#Basic_RV_AC_Troubleshooting\" title=\"Basic RV A\/C Troubleshooting\">Basic RV A\/C Troubleshooting<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/lifeonroute.com\/rv-air-conditioner-hums\/#Intermediate_RV_AC_Troubleshooting\" title=\"Intermediate RV A\/C Troubleshooting\">Intermediate RV A\/C Troubleshooting<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/lifeonroute.com\/rv-air-conditioner-hums\/#Proper_AC_Maintenance_for_Your_RV\" title=\"Proper A\/C Maintenance for Your RV\">Proper A\/C Maintenance for Your RV<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/lifeonroute.com\/rv-air-conditioner-hums\/#Are_You_Sure_It_Is_a_%E2%80%9CHumming%E2%80%9D_Sound\" title=\"Are You Sure It Is a \u201cHumming\u201d\nSound?\">Are You Sure It Is a \u201cHumming\u201d\nSound?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/lifeonroute.com\/rv-air-conditioner-hums\/#Keeping_Cool_in_Your_RV_If_the_AC_Goes_Down\" title=\"Keeping Cool in Your RV If the A\/C\nGoes Down\">Keeping Cool in Your RV If the A\/C\nGoes Down<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Basic_RV_AC_Troubleshooting\"><\/span>Basic RV A\/C Troubleshooting<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Seeing as there is no one definite\nanswer as to what could be causing a humming noise in your AC unit,\nwe\u2019ll go through a simple step-by-step checklist so that we can\neliminate them one by one. Starting from the easiest step to the most\ntechnically involved step of this process. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If possible, refer to your air\nconditioner\u2019s manual for identifying and locating all of these\nelements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Circuit breaker. <\/strong>Pop open your breaker box and make sure everything is as it should be. Most RV air conditioning units will also have a reset button, which could give you fan power. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Thermostat. <\/strong>Check your thermostat. What could potentially be the easiest fix ever is a common cause that starts with your thermostat. Does it require batteries? Is the wiring in good condition? Are there any flashing messages on the display screen? Refer to your thermostat manual for troubleshooting these problems. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Loose parts. <\/strong>While you are going over your unit piece by piece, take a closer look at the hardware, and wires to make sure everything is properly tightened and in good condition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Clogged drain. <\/strong>The safety feature on AC drains prevents <a href=\"https:\/\/lifeonroute.com\/why-your-rv-air-conditioner-leaks-when-it-rains\/\"  rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">overflow into your RV<\/a>, but can also cause the unit to shut off, or not perform properly. Cleaning the drain tube with a long bristle brush and plastic safe cleaner, then rinse and replace. If your RV has an airflow switch, reset it after you clean the drain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Frozen coils. <\/strong>Removing your AC vent should expose the coils. If they have ice on them, it means that your AC would not be working as it should and giving off a humming sound. Turn off your unit and allow the ice to melt. <a href=\"https:\/\/lifeonroute.com\/reasons-your-rv-air-conditioner-freezes-up\/\"  rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Frozen air conditioner coils<\/a> may also indicate low freon or a faulty thermostat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Dirty coils. <\/strong>These evaporator coils can often get dusty or dirty and should be cleaned regularly. Allowing dirt to build up can actually cause coils to overwork and freeze, over time.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Coolant. <\/strong>An RV AC unit uses a refrigerant that can be filled if it gets low. But if the refrigerant level isn\u2019t checked periodically, and is run until it\u2019s completely depleted, you will have to get your system recharged. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Intermediate_RV_AC_Troubleshooting\"><\/span>Intermediate RV A\/C Troubleshooting<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This section covers the more technically involved steps. A lot of this process can be done by the average RV owner, though you may feel more comfortable leaving these steps to the professionals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Loose or faulty wiring. <\/strong> Wiring can become loose, or start to fray and malfunction, causing your air conditioner to act up. Before starting any work on electrical wires, turn off the power to the AC for safety. Check the connections, and overall appearance of your wires looking for anything out of the ordinary. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Capacitors. <\/strong>Should your capacitors go bad, your fan motor will not start, resulting in a humming noise. They are typically easy to replace, though general knowledge of electricity is suggested. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Compressor. <\/strong>If you\u2019ve replaced your capacitor, and compressor still won\u2019t kick on, then it, unfortunately, may time to replace it.  And by &#8220;it&#8221; I mean the whole air conditioner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Fan motor. <\/strong> If the unit will not turn on but will give off a humming sound then there is an issue with the fan motor. Double-check to be sure the power to the AC is off when doing this. You can test if you have a bad fan motor by manually turning the rod. You may be able to feel if it needs to be lubed or breaks free of whatever was preventing it from spinning, which can often be debris that floats in from the air. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/lifeonroute.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/dreamstime_m_156296923-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2656\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lifeonroute.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/dreamstime_m_156296923-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/lifeonroute.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/dreamstime_m_156296923-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lifeonroute.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/dreamstime_m_156296923-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lifeonroute.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/dreamstime_m_156296923.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption><strong>Photo ID<\/strong> 156296923 | \u00a9 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dreamstime.com\/welcomia_info\" target=\"_blank\">Welcomia<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dreamstime.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">Dreamstime.com<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Proper_AC_Maintenance_for_Your_RV\"><\/span>Proper A\/C Maintenance for Your RV<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>We know that getting ahead of problems\nis ten times better than getting stuck behind them. Which is why\nroutine maintenance on our RV AC units should always be on to-do our\nchecklist \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As with most air conditioning systems,\nan air filter that is placed over the duct should be changed or\ncleaned periodically. This will keep the air quality high and\nallergens low. It is typically suggested to change more frequently if\nyou are in a particularly dusty\/dirty area. Under normal\ncircumstances once a month is fine. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Cleaning coils regularly will prevent\ndust &amp; other particles from building up and causing frustrating\nbreakdowns and expensive repairs. Cleaning all around the air\nconditioner vents and unit keeping it free of sticks, leaves and\nwhatever else may have made its way up there. Don\u2019t forget to clean\nthe pan under your condensation coils!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Are_You_Sure_It_Is_a_%E2%80%9CHumming%E2%80%9D_Sound\"><\/span>Are You Sure It Is a \u201cHumming\u201d\nSound?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Sometimes the way we would describe a\nsound is different from how the professionals would describe it. The\nfollowing are some other sounds an air conditioning unit might make,\nand what they could mean. As it\u2019s also difficult to decipher the\ndifference between them or where on the unit it\u2019s coming from.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have not yet found the source of\nyour problem, you might want to read through the next bit of helpful\ninformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>Buzz?<\/strong> Could it possibly have been a buzzing noise, and not a humming one? A buzzing AC often will point to an electrical issue. <\/li><li><strong>Clicking? <\/strong>If you are hearing a clicking noise, we\u2019ll have to take a look at your air conditioner&#8217;s relays. <\/li><li><strong>Rattle? <\/strong>A rattle can be a sign of something loose within the unit, whether it&#8217;s a part that has come undone or foreign material such as debris from a tree. <\/li><li><strong>Banging? <\/strong>When a banging sound is coming from your RV AC, you may have a loose part, system imbalance or faulty compressor. <\/li><li><strong>Squealing or squeaking? <\/strong>These squeaking noises can be caused by loose elements or the fan and duct system, whereas a squealing type noise can be signs of a fan motor going bad. <\/li><li><strong>Screeching or screaming? <\/strong>Turn it off! The professionals advise you to turn off a screeching or screaming air conditioner right away &amp; call your local trusted repair shop. That horrifying noise is loud and annoying for a good reason. It is a warning that something needs serious and immediate attention. <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019ve come across anything, you\u2019re not sure about, or not comfortable with fixing, take your beloved motorhome to a mechanic and get it into capable hands. You\u2019ll have it back in no time!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Keeping_Cool_in_Your_RV_If_the_AC_Goes_Down\"><\/span>Keeping Cool in Your RV If the A\/C\nGoes Down<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Looking for ways to keep cool, other\nthan blasting your AC? \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>Wear loose fitting, lightweight clothing can help from overheating<\/strong>.  <\/li><li><strong>The same goes for bedding.<\/strong> Pay attention to the material of your bedding and density of your mattress for the coolest and most comfortable sleep. <\/li><li>Watch your diet and eat in a healthy balanced way to keep your body systems functioning properly and keep your internal temps down!  <\/li><li><strong>Drink plenty of water<\/strong> to give your body the hydration it needs <\/li><li><strong>Ice Packs<\/strong>. Go all out and pack as many ice packs as you can fit into your freezer! Placing them on your pulse points cools you down in an instant. Take one everywhere you go! <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Hopefully, these tips will help you identify what that humming noise is \u2013 and if it is indeed \u201chumming\u201d you hear. Take a look at this guide to help inform whatever repair decision you or your mechanic will be making.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the meantime, if that hum grinds to\na halt and you\u2019re A\/C is down for a bit, follow our tips to keep\ncool and hydrated until your RV\u2019s air conditioning is back up and\nrunning. \n<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As RV owners, we are typically aware of the noises our rigs make. So much so that we can detect mystery sounds from the \u201cnormal\u201d ones right away. When you<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2659,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advgb_blocks_editor_width":"","advgb_blocks_columns_visual_guide":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[150],"tags":[],"author_meta":{"display_name":"Diane Dee","author_link":"https:\/\/lifeonroute.com\/author\/dedavies3\/"},"featured_img":"https:\/\/lifeonroute.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/dreamstime_m_135385922-300x200.jpg","coauthors":[],"tax_additional":{"categories":{"linked":["<a href=\"https:\/\/lifeonroute.com\/category\/rvs\/rv-maintenance\/\" class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">RV Maintenance<\/a>"],"unlinked":["<span class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">RV Maintenance<\/span>"]}},"comment_count":"0","relative_dates":{"created":"Posted 5 years ago","modified":"Updated 4 years ago"},"absolute_dates":{"created":"Posted on October 15, 2019","modified":"Updated on April 27, 2020"},"absolute_dates_time":{"created":"Posted on October 15, 2019 10:14 am","modified":"Updated on April 27, 2020 11:13 pm"},"featured_img_caption":"Photo ID 135385922 \u00a9 Marina Sharova | Dreamstime.com","series_order":"","acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lifeonroute.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2557"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lifeonroute.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lifeonroute.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lifeonroute.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lifeonroute.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2557"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/lifeonroute.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2557\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3909,"href":"https:\/\/lifeonroute.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2557\/revisions\/3909"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lifeonroute.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2659"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lifeonroute.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2557"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lifeonroute.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2557"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lifeonroute.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2557"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}