Why Does My Air Conditioner Sound Like Running Water?

Air conditioners are complex systems that rely on many different parts, such as a compressor, evaporator coil, condenser coil and refrigerant to regulate your home’s temperature and humidity level. While these machines are typically robust and reliable, it’s not uncommon for AC units to make strange sounds, which may indicate that something is awry. One example of a sound is dripping, gurgling, bubbling or running water. These distressing noises can be attributed to several sources.

1. The AC Makes a Dripping Noise

This is a common air conditioner sound you may hear on hot, humid days and is no cause for alarm. Simple condensation buildup is most likely the culprit. As your air conditioner operates, moisture from the indoor air collects on the evaporator coil and drips into the drain pan beneath. This pan is meant to catch and direct the condensed water a safe distance away from your home via a drain line.

Then again, if the drain becomes clogged or damaged, 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 an annoyance, find the drain pan under the indoor portion of your air conditioner and clear it.

Also, take AC dripping sounds as a warning sign that the condensate drain line is clogged and should be cleared. A float switch ought to automatically shut off your conditioner before the drain pan overflows and produces 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 be forced to correct the drain pan issue before your unit will run normally again.

2. The AC Sounds Like Water Is Running

While air conditioners make condensate as a component of the cooling process, they do not run on or utilize water. This means your AC shouldn’t sound like running water. If you hear this water noise, it might indicate 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 choked with dust, dirt and other crud limits airflow. This may cause 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 system is undercharged or leaking and the refrigerant level is low, it loses the capability to absorb the heat. This can make the temperature to fall below freezing and ice to form on the coil.
• Dirty evaporator coil: Dust and grime may build up on a forgotten evaporator coil, effectively insulating it and stopping the refrigerant inside of it from absorbing heat. When this takes place, the coil may possibly freeze.
• Broken thermostat: Poor temperature calibration might cause the air conditioner to run constantly, even when the indoor temperature is already at the desired degree. Constant running of an AC unit can make the evaporator coil so cold that it freezes completely.
• Blower issues: The blower circulates air over the evaporator coil. If it isn’t working correctly or operating at a low speed, the lack of sufficient airflow could freeze the evaporator coil.

3. The AC Makes a Gurgling or Bubbling Sound

Refrigerant is a critical ingredient in the cooling process. If a leak has formed or air gets caught in the refrigerant line, you can hear gurgling or bubbling as the refrigerant flows. Additionally, your system may gurgle due to overcharged refrigerant. Always leave AC service work to a professional who can ensure the right 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 location and severity 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 AC model. This component may make a hissing noise if it becomes defective.
• Internal valve leak: The valve that manages refrigerant movement through 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. Winnipeg Supply Service Experts can detect and repair any issue causing your AC to sound like running water, whether that’s condensation buildup, a refrigerant leak, a plugged drain line or a frozen evaporator coil. Each and every AC repair comes with a one-year 100% satisfaction guarantee! To learn more or set up a repair estimate, please contact Winnipeg Supply Service Experts.