An AC hissing sound, like any unfamiliar or intrusive sound, could be a cause for concern and a reason to schedule air conditioning maintenance. However, not all hissing sounds or strange noises are equal.
Pro Comfort Control, a provider of professional air conditioning service in Framingham, MA, offers tips for distinguishing between different types of AC hissing sounds and the implications of each AC hissing sound for the health of your AC unit.
Refrigerant Leaving the Expansion Valve
A short hiss from your AC unit that lasts only a few seconds is normal for your air conditioner. The refrigerant passes through an expansion valve, which controls the flow of refrigerant from the compressor to the evaporator coils.
Refrigerant can cause an audible hiss as it leaves the valve, but it does not mean the refrigerant is leaking. Unless your AC has a refrigerant leak, the refrigerant will remain in the refrigerant lines as it cycles between the evaporator and condenser coils.
A Refrigerant Leak
A sustained hiss could indicate that refrigerant is leaking from the refrigerant line, the evaporator coils, or the condenser coils. This often happens because of a hole in the refrigerant line, damage to the coils, or a faulty connector. If the liquid refrigerant is leaking, you might hear a gurgling sound as well as a hiss.
Although modern refrigerant is safer for the environment than older refrigerants, it is best to limit the amount of refrigerant that escapes into the atmosphere or leaks into the ground. Replacing refrigerant also adds to maintenance costs, so fixing refrigerant leaks early is a win-win proposition for communities and homeowners.
If you hear an AC hissing sound from the vicinity of the coils or the refrigerant lines, call a technician to help you spot the leak.
Pressure in the Compressor Unit
Less frequently, the compressor can produce a hissing sound if the pressure within it becomes too high. The compressor applies pressure to the refrigerant, causing it to heat up and radiate heat into the environment. By its nature, the compressor has to withstand pressure, but if the pressure is too high, it could damage the compressor or cause it to overheat.
Compressor repair and replacement are often expensive, so fixing compressor problems now can save you money later on.
How to Prevent AC Problems
Keeping your air conditioner in good shape can prevent maintenance issues from getting to the point where you have to deal with an ac hissing sound. Try the following strategies to extend the life of your AC and keep repair costs down.
Check Refrigerant Levels Frequently
Large refrigerant leaks can start out as small leaks. Calling a maintenance technician to inspect refrigerant lines and replace aging ones every year reduces the risk of losing refrigerant and enduring a loss of AC during the summer.
Protect the Outdoor Unit
Tree branches and other objects falling onto the condenser coils could cause a leak. Dirt and plant matter could obstruct airflow to the outdoor unit, causing the condenser coils to overheat.
Remove weeds, shrubs, and trees from the vicinity of the outdoor unit. If you are installing a new air conditioning system, plan the position of the outdoor unit so that your landscaping and gardening do not interfere with the air conditioning. Discourage animals from building nests or burrows near your AC unit.
Run Your Air Conditioner in Moderation
You will be less likely to hear the dreaded AC hissing sound if your air conditioning system does not have to overexert itself regularly. Keeping the temperature at a moderate level on hot days will reduce the risk of the AC overheating and minimize wear on many of the AC components.
If you don’t need to cool every room in your house throughout the day, why not switch to an energy-efficient mini-split system that allows you to cool each room in your home individually?
Get Your Air Conditioning Working Like New Again with Pro Comfort Control
Whatever the reason for your AC hissing sound, your best bet for a speedy repair that lasts is Pro Comfort Control. We offer professional air conditioner repair, maintenance, and installation for air conditioners and HVAC systems in Framingham, MA. We can distinguish between the ordinary AC sounds you don’t have to worry about and the signs that your AC needs repair.
Call 508-955-4776 to speak to a Pro Comfort Control representative, and don’t forget to ask about our various plumbing and heating services. We look forward to serving you today!
Author Bio:
Ryan McKernan
Founder
Passionate about delivering outstanding craftsmanship and superior customer service. Offering our customers the absolute best selection of heating, cooling, hot water and plumbing equipment and top-quality installation materials with industry leading installers. Brings over 25 years of invaluable experience to every project.