Air conditioners are complicated systems that rely on many different elements, which includes a compressor, evaporator coil, condenser coil and refrigerant to regulate your home’s temperature and humidity level. While these machines are usually robust and reliable, it’s not unusual for AC units to make strange sounds, which may indicate that something is awry. One such sound is dripping, gurgling, bubbling or running water. These distressing noises can be attributed to several causes.
1. The AC Makes a Dripping Noise
This is a common air conditioner sound you could hear on hot, humid days and is no reason you should be alarmed. Simple condensation buildup is most likely the cause of the sound. As your air conditioner functions, moisture from the indoor air gathers on the evaporator coil and drips into the drain pan beneath it. This pan is designed to catch and direct the condensed water clear of your home via a drain line. However, if the drain becomes clogged or damaged, water can accumulate in the pan, leading to a dripping or splashing noise as freshly collected condensate drips into the pool below. If the dripping noise becomes an annoyance, locate the drain pan under the indoor portion of your air conditioner and clear it.
Also, take AC dripping sounds as a indication that the condensate drain line is plugged and should be cleared. A float switch ought to automatically shut off your conditioner before the drain pan overflows and causes water damage, but the float switch could always break. Plus, if your AC keeps turning itself off because of a full drain pan, you’ll have to correct the problem before your unit will function normally again.
2. The AC Sounds Like Water Is Running
While air conditioners make condensate as a part of the cooling process, they do not run on or utilize water. This simply means your AC should not ever sound like running water. If you hear this sound, it may 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 debris restricts airflow. This may cause the temperature inside the evaporator coil to drop below freezing, which then freezes the condensate collected 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 leaking and the refrigerant level is not high enough, 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 build up on a neglected evaporator coil, effectively insulating it and preventing the refrigerant inside it from absorbing heat. When this happens, the coil could freeze.
- Broken thermostat: Poor temperature calibration could cause the air conditioner to run continually, even when the indoor temperature is already at the ideal number. Continuously running an air conditioner can make the evaporator coil so cold that it freezes over.
- Blower issues: The blower circulates air over the evaporator coil. If it isn’t working correctly or operating at a low speed, the low level of airflow could freeze the evaporator coil.
3. The AC Makes a Gurgling or Bubbling Sound
Refrigerant is a crucial element of the cooling process. If a leak has formed or air comes to be trapped in the refrigerant line, you can hear gurgling or bubbling as the refrigerant flows. Additionally, your system may gurgle because of overcharged refrigerant. Always leave AC service work to a professional who can verify the right refrigerant charge.
4. The AC Makes a Hissing Noise
A hissing noise from your air conditioner could be the result of one of these issues:
- Refrigerant leaks: Depending on the location and extent of a refrigerant leak, it may generate more of a hissing noise than a gurgling or bubbling sound.
- An issue with with the compressor: The compressor located in the outdoor condensing unit pressurizes the refrigerant as it passes through the AC model. This element may make a hissing noise if it becomes faulty.
- Internal valve leak: The valve that regulates refrigerant movement through the compressor may also leak and hiss.
Schedule Air Conditioning Services
If you hear a sound like running water from your air conditioner, take steps to identify and address the cause to avoid more damage. [companyname] can identify and fix any malfunction causing your AC to sound like running water, whether that’s condensation buildup, a refrigerant leak, a plugged drain line or a frozen evaporator coil. Every AC repair comes with a one-year 100% satisfaction guarantee! To learn more or schedule a repair estimate, please contact [companyname].