Why is my AC making a hissing noise?
A hissing noise coming from your HVAC system should not be ignored. Among the probable causes are leaky refrigerant lines, an internal valve leak or a serious issue with your compressor. If the hissing noise is heard from your ductwork, then you might have leaking air ducts. This is annoying, but not necessarily a reason to worry. A hissing sound may indicate any of these things, but we’ll try to narrow it down further.
Does the hissing sound stop after a few seconds?
If you hear a hissing noise that ceases after a few moments, you may not have any problems. That can be refrigerant in your expansion valve, which is part of the normal day to day operation of your HVAC mechanicals.
Is the AC Making a Hissing Sound with Bubbling Noises?
Are you hearing a bubbling sound along with a hissing sound? This could indicate a refrigerant leak. If a refrigerant leak is present, you might notice a light hissing sound as the refrigerant escapes through the leak. Refrigerant escapes as a gas and can be a serious health concern. If you have signs of a refrigerant leak, power down the unit and call a expert HVAC company to come take a look.
If the cause is a valve leak, it should be repaired by a professional as soon as possible. The job of the valves is to regulate the pressurization of the refrigerant gas and without repair, the leak will worsen. When it does, the hissing sound will increase, which can be a tell if you’re looking for a cause. You must maintain adequate pressure in your HVAC system for it cool your home, and any leak will create additional health and mechanical problems. It’s best to get this fixed post haste if possible.
Are Hissing Noises Coming from the Compressor?
The compressor can be located in the exterior air conditioning unit, which is also called a condenser unit. Listen nearby the condenser for the hissing noise. If it turns out that the compressor is the cause, this could be a dangerous situation because it is an indication that the pressure within the compressor is too much. If you hear hissing, whistling, or shrieking coming from your compressor, shut off your air conditioner without delay and call a professional technician.
Compressors are some of the most expensive units to repair or replace inside an AC. Compressors are the part responsible for circulating refrigerant through the system. You cannot power on an HVAC system and cool your home without a compressor. The expense is variable based on factors like the type, unit size, and brand requirements. If you have a two stage compressor in the unit today, you would need to replace it with another two stage compressor. It’s not possible to upgrade or downgrade the compressor type – your unit has specific requirements for what components are installed in order to operate safely. While it’s impossible to provide estimates because of the variable costs, the bill is frequently big enough to just do a replacement in older air conditioners. This is why it’s critical to shut off the air conditioning and call a reliable HVAC company if you hear hissing sounds coming from the compressor.
