A hissing noise inside your HVAC system should not be disregarded. Among the potential causes are leaking5 refrigerant lines, an internal valve leak or a serious problem with your compressor. If the hissing noise is coming from your ductwork, then you may have leaking air ducts. This is annoying, but not necessarily a cause for alarm. A hissing sound may 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 issues. That can be refrigerant in your expansion valve, which is 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 paired with a hissing sound? This could indicate a refrigerant leak. If a refrigerant leak is present, you may notice a slight hissing sound as the refrigerant escapes through the leak. It escapes as a gas and can be a worrisome health concern. If you see signs of a refrigerant leak, turn off the unit and call a qualified HVAC company to come inspect the system.
If the cause is a valve leak, it should be repaired by a technician as soon as possible. The job of the valves is to regulate the pressurization of the refrigerant gas and left alone, the leak will worsen. When it does, the hissing sound will sometimes grow louder, which can be a sign if you’re looking for a cause. You must maintain adequate pressure in your HVAC system for it cool your home, and leaks create additional health and maintenance problems. You want to get this fixed quickly if possible.
Are Hissing Noises Coming from the Compressor?
The compressor is found in the exterior air conditioning unit, which is also called a condenser unit. Listen quietly for the hissing noise. If the compressor is the problem, this could be a hazardous situation because it is a signal that the pressure in the compressor is too high. If you hear hissing, whistling, or shrieking coming from your compressor, shut off your air conditioner immediately and call an HVAC technician.
Compressors are some of the most pricey parts to repair or replace inside an air conditioner. Compressors are the part responsible for circulating refrigerant through the system. You cannot power on an HVAC system and cool your home sans compressor. The cost 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 parts are installed and won’t accept substitutes. While it’s impossible to give a quote online because of the variable costs, the receipt is frequently high enough to consider a replacement in older ACs. 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.