Why Does My Air Conditioner Sound Like Running Water?
Air conditioners are complex systems that rely on various elements, including a compressor, evaporator coil, condenser coil and refrigerant to regulate your home’s temperature and humidity level. While these machines are usually robust and reliable, it’s not uncommon for AC units to make strange sounds, which may indicate that something is awry. One such sound 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 a common air conditioner sound you may hear on hot, humid days and is no reason you should be alarmed. Simple condensation buildup is probably the cause of the sound. As your air conditioner functions, moisture from the interior air gathers on the evaporator coil and drips into the drain pan beneath it. This pan is designed to catch and move the condensed water away from your home via a drain line.
Then again, if the drain becomes blocked or broken, water can accumulate in the pan, producing a dripping or splashing noise as freshly collected condensate drips into the pool below. If the dripping noise becomes too irritating, locate 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 blocked 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 solve the problem before your unit will run normally again.
2. The AC Sounds Like Water Is Running
While air conditioners make condensate as a part of the cooling process, they do not run on or utilize water. This simply means your AC should never sound like running water. If you hear this sound, it may be because 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 debris limits airflow. This may make the temperature inside the evaporator coil to get below freezing, which then freezes the condensate gathered 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 seeping out and the refrigerant level is minimal, it loses the ability to absorb the heat. This can make the temperature to slide below freezing and ice to build up on the coil.
- Dirty evaporator coil: Dust and dirt may build up on a neglected evaporator coil, effectively insulating it and blocking the refrigerant inside it from absorbing heat. When this happens, the coil may possibly freeze.
- Failing thermostat: Poor temperature calibration could cause the air conditioner to run continuously, even when the indoor temperature is already at the desired level. Continuously running an air conditioner can make the evaporator coil so cold that it freezes up.
- Blower troubles: The blower moves air through the evaporator coil. If it isn’t working right 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 vital ingredient in the cooling process. If a leak has formed or air has become trapped in the refrigerant line, you may hear gurgling or bubbling as the refrigerant flows. Similarly, your system could very well gurgle because of 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 be the result of one of these problems:
- Refrigerant leaks: Depending on the place and extent of a refrigerant leak, it may produce more of a hissing noise than a gurgling or bubbling sound.
- Issues with the compressor: The compressor located in the outside condensing unit pressurizes the refrigerant as it flows through the system. This component may make a hissing noise if it gets damaged.
- Internal valve leak: The valve that regulates 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 more damage. Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning 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 request a repair estimate, please contact Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning.