Why Does My Air Conditioner Sound Like Running Water?

Air conditioners are complicated systems that rely on many different 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 sturdy and reliable, it’s not uncommon 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 worrying noises can be attributed to several sources.

1. The AC Makes a Dripping Noise

This is a frequent 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 collects on the evaporator coil and drips into the drain pan beneath it. This pan was created to capture and move the condensed water clear of your home via a drain line.

Then again, if the drain becomes plugged or compromised, 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, identify the drain pan under the indoor portion of your air conditioner and remove the water.

Also, take AC dripping sounds as a indication that the condensate drain line is plugged and should be cleared. A float switch should 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 fix the issue before your unit will run normally again.

2. The AC Sounds Like Water Is Running

While air conditioners make condensate during the cooling process, they do not run on or consume water. This simply means your AC shouldn’t sound like running water. If you hear this water 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 particles blocks airflow. This may make the temperature inside the evaporator coil to get below freezing, which then freezes the condensate accumulated 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 leaky and the refrigerant level is low, it loses the ability to absorb the heat. This can make the temperature to slide below freezing and ice to develop on the coil.
• Dirty evaporator coil: Dust and grease may build up on a neglected evaporator coil, effectively insulating it and preventing the refrigerant inside from absorbing heat. When this occurs, the coil may freeze.
• Broken thermostat: Poor temperature calibration may cause the air conditioner to run continually, 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 over.
• Blower problems: The blower circulates air across the evaporator coil. If it isn’t working effectively or running at a low speed, the lack of airflow could 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 forms or air gets 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 make sure 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 issues:

• Refrigerant leaks: Depending on the site and severity 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 AC model. This part of the system may make a hissing noise if it becomes faulty.
• 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 diagnose and address the cause to stop more damage. Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning can detect and fix any concern 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. Every single AC repair comes with a one-year 100% satisfaction guarantee! To learn more or set up a repair estimate, please contact Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning.