Air conditioners are sophisticated systems that rely on numerous elements, such as a compressor, evaporator coil, condenser coil and refrigerant to regulate your home’s temperature and humidity level. While these machines are typically robust and reliable, it’s not unheard of for AC units to make strange sounds, which may indicate that something is wrong. One such sound is dripping, gurgling, bubbling or running water. These worrisome noises can be linked to several sources.
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 reason for alarm. Simple condensation buildup is likely to blame. As your air conditioner performs, moisture from the interior air gathers on the evaporator coil and drips into the drain pan underneath. This pan is meant to catch and move the condensed water clear of your home via a drain line. However, if the drain becomes clogged or broken, water can accumulate in the pan, resulting in a dripping or splashing noise as freshly collected condensate drips into the pool below. If the dripping noise becomes a nuisance, identify the drain pan under the indoor portion of your air conditioner and clear it.
Also, take AC dripping sounds as a warning sign 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 need to solve the problem before your unit will function 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 consume water. This simply means your AC should never sound like running water. If you hear this noise, 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 debris limits airflow. This may cause the temperature inside the evaporator coil to fall 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 network is undercharged or seeping out and the refrigerant level is not high enough, it loses the capability to absorb the heat. This can allow the temperature to drop below freezing and ice to form on the coil.
- Dirty evaporator coil: Dust and grease may coat a neglected evaporator coil, effectively insulating it and stopping the refrigerant inside from absorbing heat. When this occurs, the coil could freeze.
- Failing thermostat: Poor temperature calibration might 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 up.
- Blower problems: The blower forces air through the evaporator coil. If it isn’t working effectively 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 critical component of the cooling process. If a leak has formed or air has become caught in the refrigerant line, you might hear gurgling or bubbling as the refrigerant flows. Along those same lines, your system could possibly gurgle as a result of overcharged refrigerant. Always leave AC repair work to a professional who can make sure 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 problems:
- Refrigerant leaks: Depending on the place and seriousness of a refrigerant leak, it may produce more of a hissing noise than a gurgling or bubbling sound.
- An issue with with the compressor: The compressor located in the outside condensing unit pressurizes the refrigerant as it moves through the system. This component may make a hissing noise if it is damaged.
- Internal valve leak: The valve that manages refrigerant circulation 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 determine and address the cause to avoid additional damage. [companyname] can identify and service any concern 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 single AC repair comes with a one-year 100% satisfaction guarantee! To learn more or set up a repair estimate, please contact [companyname].