Air conditioners are sophisticated systems that rely on various components, including a compressor, evaporator coil, condenser coil and refrigerant to regulate your home’s temperature and humidity level. While these machines are generally strong and reliable, it’s not unusual 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 distressing noises can be traced back to several sources.
1. The AC Makes a Dripping Noise
This is a common air conditioner sound you may hear on hot, humid days and is no cause for alarm. Simple condensation buildup is likely to blame. As your air conditioner operates, moisture from the indoor air gathers on the evaporator coil and drips into the drain pan beneath it. This pan is meant to capture and funnel 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, resulting in a dripping or splashing noise as freshly collected condensate drips into the pool underneath. 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 clogged and must be cleared. A float switch ought to automatically shut off your conditioner before the drain pan overflows and creates water damage, but the float switch could always fail. Plus, if your AC keeps turning itself off because of a full drain pan, you’ll have to fix the drain pan issue before your unit will function normally again.
2. The AC Sounds Like Water Is Running
While air conditioners create condensate during the cooling process, they do not run on or consume water. What this means is your AC should not ever sound like running water. If you hear this sound, it could mean 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 particles 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 goes through the evaporator coil. If the system is undercharged or leaking and the refrigerant level is minimal, it loses the capability to absorb the heat. This can allow the temperature to slide below freezing and ice to form on the coil.
- Dirty evaporator coil: Dust and dirt may coat an ignored evaporator coil, effectively insulating it and preventing the refrigerant inside it from absorbing heat. When this happens, the coil could freeze.
- Malfunctioning thermostat: Poor temperature calibration might cause the air conditioner to run continually, even when the indoor temperature is already at the correct number. Continuously running an air conditioner can make the evaporator coil so cold that it freezes completely.
- Blower troubles: The blower forces air through the evaporator coil. If it isn’t working effectively or operating at a low speed, the lack of sufficient airflow may 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 has become trapped in the refrigerant line, you might hear gurgling or bubbling as the refrigerant flows. Along those same lines, your system may gurgle due to overcharged refrigerant. Always leave AC repair work to a professional who can verify the proper refrigerant charge.
4. The AC Makes a Hissing Noise
A hissing noise from your air conditioner could signify one of these malfunctions:
- Refrigerant leaks: Depending on the site and severity of a refrigerant leak, it may create more of a hissing noise than a gurgling or bubbling sound.
- An issue with with the compressor: The compressor located in the exterior condensing unit pressurizes the refrigerant as it moves through the AC model. This element may make a hissing noise if it gets faulty.
- Internal valve leak: The valve that manages refrigerant movement within 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 diagnose and address the cause to avoid further damage. [companyname] can detect and service any malfunction 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. Each and every AC repair comes with a one-year 100% satisfaction guarantee! To learn more or schedule a repair estimate, please contact [companyname].