Why is My Air Conditioner is Making a Hissing Noise?
July 31, 2017
It may be a sign of a refrigerant leak and needs to be serviced as soon as possible.
If your air conditioner is making a hissing noise or a bubbling sound, it can be rather worrying. But don’t panic. In this article, we will explain what it is and what you should do about it…
The most likely cause of these noises is a refrigerant leak from your AC unit. It is the refrigerant that makes the warm air cold, which is sent out into your home to lower the temperature. So, it is vital to the effective running of your AC system.
When refrigerant leaks from the system, not only will your AC unit be unable to cool your home properly, but it can also cause further damage to your system, so it must be sorted out as soon as possible.
Signs of a Refrigerant Leak
We’ve already mentioned the hissing or bubbling noises that occur due to refrigerant leak, but there are other signs to look out for as well. You are likely to find that it takes a long time for your home to become cool when you turn on your AC unit. It might become cool eventually, but it is likely to take longer than it normally should.
You should also check your vents. If you place your hand in front of a supply vent and feel the air, does it feel warm? If it does then this is a sign of a refrigerant leak. Take a look at the copper refrigerant line on the outside AC unit. Is there any ice build-up on it? This is also a sign of a refrigerant leak.
Take a look at your energy bills. Are they higher than normal for the time of year? When you don’t have the correct amount of refrigerant in your system, it has to work harder. This of course uses more electricity and so it will increase your bills.
What Should You Do?
A refrigerant leak will cost you money every day with increased bills. It can also cause damage to your AC unit. But it’s not all bad news because in many cases, a refrigerant leak can be fixed fairly easily and often doesn’t cost you too much either. However, time is of the essence. You don’t want to be spending a fortune running your AC unit, and you don’t want to risk any further damage that could be more expensive to fix.
So, you need to get in touch with a St Louis HVAC technician as soon as possible. For anyone thinking they will fix the leak themselves, it is worth knowing that this is actually illegal. The refrigerant is classified as a toxic substance and so should only be handled by a certified professional. If you meddle with it, you could even invalidate your home insurance.
If you notice any signs of a refrigerant leak, contact Scott-Lee Heating immediately. Call us at (314) 200-0788 or fill out our online contact form. A Scott-Lee Comfort Specialist will be happy to help you improve the comfort level of your home environment.