A hissing noise inside your HVAC system should not be ignored. Among the possible causes are leaking5 refrigerant lines, an internal valve leak or a serious problem with your compressor. If the hissing noise is heard from your ducts, then you may have leaky air ducts. This is annoying, but not necessarily a cause for alarm. A hissing sound could be a sign for any of these things, but we’ll try to narrow it down further.
Does the hissing sound end after a few seconds?
If you hear a hissing noise that stops after a few moments, you may not have any problems. That might be refrigerant in your expansion valve, which is part of the normal day to day operation of your HVAC unit.
Is the AC Making a Hissing Sound with Bubbling Noises?
Are you hearing a bubbling sound along with a hissing sound? This can indicate a refrigerant leak. If a refrigerant leak presents itself, you may hear a slight hissing sound as the refrigerant escapes via the leak. Refrigerant escapes as a gas and can be a serious health concern. If you have signs of a refrigerant leak, shut down the AC and call a qualified HVAC company to come inspect the system.
If the problem is a valve leak, it should be repaired by a professional as soon as possible. The job of the valves is to help with the pressurization of the refrigerant gas and if unresolved, the leak will worsen. When it does, the hissing sound will often intensify, which can be a signal if you’re looking for a cause. You must maintain proper pressure in your system for it operate correctly, and any leak will create additional health and mechanical problems. You ought to get this fixed post haste 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 you find the compressor is the issue, this could be a hazardous situation because it is an indication that the pressure in the compressor is too great. If you hear hissing, whistling, or shrieking coming from your compressor, power down your air conditioner pronto and call an HVAC 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 run an AC and cool your home sans compressor. The expense changes based on factors such as 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 impossible to upgrade or downgrade the compressor type - your unit has specific requirements for what components are installed and can’t be MacGyvered. While it’s impossible to say how much a compressor replacement is because of the variable costs, the expense is often large enough to think about a replacement in older air conditioners. This is why it’s crucial to shut off the air conditioning and call a trustworthy HVAC company if you hear hissing sounds coming from the compressor.