Air conditioners are complicated systems that rely on many different parts, which includes a compressor, evaporator coil, condenser coil and refrigerant to regulate your home’s temperature and humidity level. While these machines are typically strong and reliable, it’s not unheard of for AC units to make strange sounds, which may indicate that something is awry. One of these sounds is dripping, gurgling, bubbling or running water. These worrisome noises can be traced back to several causes.
1. The AC Makes a Dripping Noise
This is an often reported air conditioner sound you could hear on hot, humid days and is no cause for alarm. Simple condensation buildup is most likely the culprit. As your air conditioner performs, moisture from the indoor air collects on the evaporator coil and drips into the drain pan underneath. This pan was created to collect and funnel the condensed water clear of your home via a drain line. Although, if the drain becomes blocked or compromised, water can accumulate in the pan, leading to a dripping or splashing noise as freshly collected condensate drips into the pool down below. If the dripping noise becomes an annoyance, identify the drain pan under the indoor portion of your air conditioner and remove the water.
Also, take AC dripping sounds as a signal that the condensate drain line is blocked and must 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 solve the drain pan issue before your unit will operate normally again.
2. The AC Sounds Like Water Is Running
While air conditioners produce condensate during 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 indicate the evaporator coil has frozen over and is now thawing and dripping water onto the ground.
This can develop 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 moves through the evaporator coil. If the air conditioner is undercharged or leaking and the refrigerant level is not high enough, it loses the capability to absorb the heat. This can make the temperature to slide below freezing and ice to form on the coil.
- Dirty evaporator coil: Dust and grease may build up on an ignored evaporator coil, effectively insulating it and stopping the refrigerant within it from absorbing heat. When this happens, the coil might freeze.
- Failing thermostat: Poor temperature calibration could cause the air conditioner to run continuously, even when the indoor temperature is already at the correct degree. Continuously running an air conditioner can make the evaporator coil so cold that it freezes over.
- Blower troubles: The blower circulates air across the evaporator coil. If it isn’t working correctly or performing 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 element of the cooling process. If a leak forms or air has become stuck in the refrigerant line, you might hear gurgling or bubbling as the refrigerant flows. Along those same lines, your system could possibly gurgle due to 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 problems:
- Refrigerant leaks: Depending on the site and severity of a refrigerant leak, it may produce more of a hissing noise than a gurgling or bubbling sound.
- Problem with the compressor: The compressor located in the exterior condensing unit pressurizes the refrigerant as it moves through the air conditioner. This part of the system may make a hissing noise if it becomes defective.
- Internal valve leak: The valve that manages refrigerant movement through 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 avoid more damage. [companyname] can detect and repair any issue causing your AC to sound like running water, whether that’s condensation buildup, a refrigerant leak, a stopped up drain line or a frozen evaporator coil. Every AC repair comes with a one-year 100% satisfaction guarantee! To learn more or set up a repair estimate, please contact [companyname].