A hissing noise coming from your HVAC system is not something to be overlooked. Among the probable causes are leaky refrigerant lines, an internal valve leak or a serious problem with your compressor. If the hissing noise is originating from your ductwork, then you may 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 a little further.
Does the hissing sound end after a few seconds?
If you hear a hissing noise that ceases after a few seconds, you may not have any problems. That might be refrigerant in your expansion valve, which is a part of the normal operation of your HVAC unit.
Is the AC Making a Hissing Sound with Bubbling Noises?
Are you hearing a bubbling sound paired with a hissing sound? This could indicate a refrigerant leak. If a refrigerant leak presents itself, you may notice a light hissing sound as the refrigerant escapes from the leak. It escapes as a gas and can be a major health concern. If you see signs of a refrigerant leak, power down your HVAC and call a qualified HVAC company to come inspect the system.
If the issue is a valve leak, it should be repaired by a technician as soon as possible. The job of the valves is to help with 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 the cause. You must maintain adequate pressure in your system for it cool your home, and any leak will create additional health and maintenance problems. It’s best to get this fixed quickly if possible.
Are Hissing Noises Coming from the Compressor?
The compressor can be found in the exterior air conditioning unit, which is also called a condenser. Listen quietly for the hissing noise. If the compressor is the cause, this could be a hazardous situation because it is an indication that the pressure inside the compressor is too much. If you hear hissing, whistling, or shrieking coming from your compressor, switch off your air conditioner immediately and call an expert technician.
Compressors are some of the most expensive parts to repair or replace inside an AC unit. Compressors are the part responsible for pushing refrigerant through the system. You cannot run an AC and cool your home sans compressor. The expense is variable based on factors such as the type, unit size, and brand requirements. If you have a two stage compressor in your AC, you will need to replace it with another two stage compressor. It’s impossible 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 receipt is frequently big enough to just do a replacement in older units. This is why it’s crucial to shut off the air conditioning and call a reputable HVAC company if you hear hissing sounds coming from the compressor.