Air conditioners are sophisticated systems that rely on numerous 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 sturdy 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 distressing noises can be attributed to several sources.
1. The AC Makes a Dripping Noise
This is a frequent air conditioner sound you might hear on hot, humid days and is no reason you should be alarmed. Simple condensation buildup is most likely to blame. As your air conditioner operates, moisture from the interior air collects on the evaporator coil and drips into the drain pan underneath. This pan is designed to catch and direct the condensed water away from your home via a drain line. Then again, if the drain becomes clogged or broken, water can accumulate in the pan, leading to a dripping or splashing noise as freshly collected condensate drips into the pool underneath. 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 signal that the condensate drain line is plugged and must be cleared. A float switch is supposed to automatically shut off your conditioner before the drain pan overflows and creates water damage, but the float switch could always not work properly. Plus, if your AC keeps turning itself off because of a full drain pan, you’ll have to fix the problem before your unit will operate normally again.
2. The AC Sounds Like Water Is Running
While air conditioners create condensate as a part of the cooling process, they do not run on or utilize water. This simply means your AC shouldn't sound like running water. If you hear this noise, it may 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 plugged with dust, dirt and other debris blocks airflow. This may cause the temperature inside the evaporator coil to get 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 air conditioner is undercharged or leaking and the refrigerant level is not high enough, it loses the ability to absorb the heat. This can cause the temperature to fall below freezing and ice to build up on the coil.
- Dirty evaporator coil: Dust and grease may accumulate on an ignored evaporator coil, effectively insulating it and preventing the refrigerant inside it from absorbing heat. When this happens, the coil might freeze.
- Failing thermostat: Poor temperature calibration may cause the air conditioner to run continually, even when the indoor temperature is already at the ideal level. Constant operation can make the evaporator coil so cold that it freezes completely.
- Blower problems: The blower circulates air across the evaporator coil. If it isn’t working right or operating 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 crucial component of the cooling process. If a leak has developed or air comes to be stuck in the refrigerant line, you might hear gurgling or bubbling as the refrigerant flows. Similarly, your system could possibly gurgle because of overcharged refrigerant. Always leave AC service work to a professional who can make sure the proper refrigerant charge.
4. The AC Makes a Hissing Noise
A hissing noise from your air conditioner could indicate one of these problems:
- Refrigerant leaks: Depending on the location and seriousness 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 exterior condensing unit pressurizes the refrigerant as it moves through the air conditioner. This component may make a hissing noise if it is damaged.
- Internal valve leak: The valve that controls refrigerant flow 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 determine and address the cause to stop further damage. [companyname] can identify and service 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. Each and every AC repair comes with a one-year 100% satisfaction guarantee! To learn more or request a repair estimate, please contact [companyname].