Air conditioners are sophisticated systems that rely on many different components, including a compressor, evaporator coil, condenser coil and refrigerant to regulate your home’s temperature and humidity level. While these machines are generally sturdy and reliable, it’s not uncommon for AC units to make strange sounds, which may indicate that something is awry. One example of a sound is dripping, gurgling, bubbling or running water. These worrying noises can be traced back to several origins.
1. The AC Makes a Dripping Noise
This is an often reported air conditioner sound you may hear on hot, humid days and is no reason you should be alarmed. Simple condensation buildup is probably the cause of the sound. As your air conditioner performs, moisture from the inside air collects on the evaporator coil and drips into the drain pan beneath. This pan is meant to collect and move the condensed water a safe distance away from your home via a drain line. However, if the drain becomes blocked or damaged, water can accumulate in the pan, producing a dripping or splashing noise as freshly collected condensate drips into the pool underneath. If the dripping noise becomes a nuisance, locate the drain pan under the indoor portion of your air conditioner and remove the water.
Also, take AC dripping sounds as a warning sign that the condensate drain line is blocked and needs to be cleared. A float switch should automatically shut off your conditioner before the drain pan overflows and produces water damage, but the float switch could always not work properly. Plus, if your AC keeps turning itself off because of a full drain pan, you’ll have to fix the issue before your unit will run normally again.
2. The AC Sounds Like Water Is Running
While air conditioners make condensate as a component of the cooling process, they do not run on or utilize water. This simply means your AC should never sound like running water. If you hear this sound, it might be because the evaporator coil has frozen over and is now thawing and dripping water onto the ground.
This can take place for a few reasons, including:
- Dirty air filter: A filter clogged with dust, dirt and other crud limits airflow. This may cause the temperature inside the evaporator coil to drop below freezing, which then freezes the condensate accumulated on the coil.
- Low refrigerant level: Chilled refrigerant absorbs heat from the indoor air as it passes through the evaporator coil. If the system is undercharged or leaky and the refrigerant level is low, it loses the ability to absorb the heat. This can make the temperature to slide below freezing and ice to build up on the coil.
- Dirty evaporator coil: Dust and grease may accumulate on a forgotten evaporator coil, effectively insulating it and blocking the refrigerant inside it from absorbing heat. When this happens, the coil could freeze.
- Failing thermostat: Poor temperature calibration may cause the air conditioner to run constantly, even when the indoor temperature is already at the correct number. Constant operation can make the evaporator coil so cold that it freezes over.
- Blower troubles: The blower moves air across the evaporator coil. If it isn’t working correctly or running at a low speed, the lack of airflow can freeze the evaporator coil.
3. The AC Makes a Gurgling or Bubbling Sound
Refrigerant is a critical ingredient in the cooling process. If a leak forms or air comes to be stuck in the refrigerant line, you might hear gurgling or bubbling as the refrigerant flows. Additionally, your system could possibly gurgle because of overcharged refrigerant. Always leave AC repair work to a professional who can verify the correct refrigerant charge.
4. The AC Makes a Hissing Noise
A hissing noise from your air conditioner could be the result of one of these malfunctions:
- Refrigerant leaks: Depending on the location and severity of a refrigerant leak, it may generate more of a hissing noise than a gurgling or bubbling sound.
- Problem with the compressor: The compressor located in the outside condensing unit pressurizes the refrigerant as it passes through the AC model. This component may make a hissing noise if it becomes defective.
- Internal valve leak: The valve that manages refrigerant flow throughout the compressor may also leak and hiss.
Schedule Air Conditioning Services
If you hear a sound similar to running water from your air conditioner, take steps to identify and address the cause to stop more damage. [companyname] can diagnose and repair any concern causing your AC to sound like running water, whether that’s condensation buildup, a refrigerant leak, a clogged drain line or a frozen evaporator coil. Each and every AC repair comes with a one-year 100% satisfaction guarantee! To learn more or set up a repair estimate, please contact [companyname].