A hissing noise inside your HVAC system is not something to be disregarded. Among the possible causes are leaking5 refrigerant lines, an internal valve leak or a serious problem with your compressor. If the hissing noise is coming from your air ducts, then you might have leaking air ducts. This is annoying, but not necessarily something to panic over. A hissing sound may be a sign for any of these things, but we’ll try to narrow it down a little further.
Does the hissing sound cease after a few seconds?
If you hear a hissing noise that ceases after a few seconds, you may not have any issues. That can be refrigerant in your expansion valve, which is a part of the normal day to day operation of your HVAC mechanicals.
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 is present, you may hear a slight hissing sound as the refrigerant escapes from the leak. Refrigerant escapes as a gas and can be a serious health concern. If you notice signs of a refrigerant leak, turn off the AC and call a qualified HVAC company to come evaluate the noise.
If the problem 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 sign if you’re looking for the cause. You need to maintain proper pressure in your system for it operate correctly, and leaks create additional health and maintenance problems. You ought to get this fixed post haste if possible.
Are Hissing Noises Coming from the Compressor?
The compressor can be located in the exterior air conditioning unit, which is also known as a condenser. Listen nearby the condenser for the hissing noise. If you find the compressor is the issue, this could be an unsafe situation because it is a signal that the pressure in the compressor is too great. If you hear hissing, whistling, or shrieking coming from your compressor, shut off your air conditioner pronto and call an HVAC technician.
Compressors are some of the most pricey units to repair or replace inside an AC. Compressors are the part responsible for pushing refrigerant through the system. You cannot turn on an air conditioner and cool your home without a compressor. The pricing changes based on factors like the type, unit size, and brand requirements. If you have a two stage compressor now, you would need to replace it with a two stage compressor. It’s impossible to upgrade or downgrade the compressor type - your unit has specific requirements for what parts are installed and won’t accept substitutes. While it’s impossible to provide estimates because of the variable costs, the expense is frequently high enough to just do a replacement in older air conditioners. This is why it’s critical to shut off the air conditioning and call a reliable HVAC company if you hear hissing sounds coming from the compressor.