Why Does My Air Conditioner Sound Like Running Water?

Air conditioners are complicated systems that rely on many different parts, which includes a compressor, evaporator coil, condenser coil and refrigerant to regulate your home’s temperature and humidity level. While these machines are generally robust and reliable, it’s not unheard of for AC units to make strange sounds, which may indicate that something is amiss. One of these sounds is dripping, gurgling, bubbling or running water. These worrying noises can be attributed to several causes.

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 probably the cause of the sound. As your air conditioner performs, moisture from the inside air gathers on the evaporator coil and drips into the drain pan beneath. This pan is designed to catch and direct the condensed water away from your home via a drain line.

Then again, if the drain becomes blocked or compromised, water can accumulate in the pan, producing a dripping or splashing noise as freshly collected condensate drips into the pool down below. If the dripping noise becomes a nuisance, locate 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 blocked and must be cleared. A float switch ought to automatically shut off your conditioner before the drain pan overflows and creates 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 need to fix the problem before your unit will operate normally again.

2. The AC Sounds Like Water Is Running

While air conditioners produce condensate during the cooling process, they do not run on or consume water. This simply means your AC should not ever sound like running water. If you hear this sound, it could mean the evaporator coil has frozen over and is now thawing and dripping water onto the ground.

This can happen for a few reasons, including:

• • Dirty air filter: A filter plugged with dust, dirt and other debris blocks airflow. This may lead the temperature inside the evaporator coil to get below freezing, which then freezes the condensate collected on the coil.

• • Low refrigerant level: Chilled refrigerant absorbs heat from the indoor air as it moves through the evaporator coil. If the network is undercharged or leaky and the refrigerant level is minimal, it loses the capability to absorb the heat. This can make the temperature to slide below freezing and ice to build up on the coil.

• • Dirty evaporator coil: Dust and grime may coat an ignored evaporator coil, effectively insulating it and blocking the refrigerant inside from absorbing heat. When this takes place, the coil might freeze.

• • Broken thermostat: Poor temperature calibration might cause the air conditioner to run constantly, even when the indoor temperature is already at the ideal number. Continuously running an air conditioner can make the evaporator coil so cold that it freezes up.

• • Blower issues: The blower circulates air through the evaporator coil. If it isn’t working right or performing at a low speed, the low level of airflow may 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 developed or air comes to be trapped in the refrigerant line, you may hear gurgling or bubbling as the refrigerant flows. Along those same lines, your system could possibly gurgle due to overcharged refrigerant. Always leave AC repair work to a professional who can verify the proper refrigerant charge.

4. The AC Makes a Hissing Noise

A hissing noise from your air conditioner could be the result of one of these issues:

• • Refrigerant leaks: Depending on the location and seriousness of a refrigerant leak, it may produce more of a hissing noise than a gurgling or bubbling sound.

• • Problem with the compressor: The compressor located in the outdoor condensing unit pressurizes the refrigerant as it flows through the system. This part of the system may make a hissing noise if it is damaged.

• • Internal valve leak: The valve that manages refrigerant flow within the compressor may also leak and hiss.

Schedule Air Conditioning Services

If you hear a sound like running water from your air conditioner, take steps to diagnose and address the cause to avoid additional damage. Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing can identify and repair any concern causing your AC to sound like running water, whether that’s condensation buildup, a refrigerant leak, a stopped up drain line or a frozen evaporator coil. Every AC repair comes with a one-year 100% satisfaction guarantee! To learn more or set up a repair estimate, please contact Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing.