Why is my AC making a hissing noise? 

A hissing noise inside your HVAC system should not be overlooked. Among the probable causes are leaky refrigerant lines, an internal valve leak or a serious failure with your compressor. If the hissing noise is heard from your air ducts, then you may have leaking air ducts. This is annoying, but not necessarily something to panic over. A hissing sound could indicate any of these things, but we’ll try to narrow it down further. 

Does the hissing sound stop after a few seconds? 

If you hear a hissing noise that stops after a few moments, you may not have any issues. That might be refrigerant in your expansion valve, which is part of the normal day to day operation of your HVAC system. 

Is the AC Making a Hissing Sound with Bubbling Noises? 

Are you hearing a bubbling sound paired with a hissing sound? This may indicate a refrigerant leak. If a refrigerant leak presents itself, you may notice a light hissing sound as the refrigerant escapes via the leak. It escapes as a gas and can be a worrisome health concern. If you have signs of a refrigerant leak, turn off your HVAC and call a expert HVAC company to come take a look. 

If the problem 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 increase, which can be a tell if you’re looking for a cause. You need to maintain adequate pressure in your system for it operate correctly, and any leak will create additional health and maintenance problems. It’s best to get this fixed post haste 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 around here for the hissing noise. If you find the compressor is the problem, this could be a dangerous situation because it is a sign that the pressure within the compressor is too much. If you hear hissing, whistling, or shrieking coming from your compressor, shut off your air conditioner pronto and call a professional technician. 

Compressors are some of the most expensive units to repair or replace inside an AC unit. Compressors are the part responsible for cycling refrigerant through the system. You cannot run an AC and cool your home without a compressor. The cost changes based on factors like the type, unit size, and brand requirements. If you have a two stage compressor in your AC, you will need to replace it with a two stage compressor. It’s impossible to upgrade or downgrade the compressor type – your unit has specific requirements for what compressors are installed and won’t accept substitutes. While it’s impossible to give a quote online because of the variable costs, the expense is frequently large enough to just do a replacement in older air conditioners. This is why it’s crucial to shut off the air conditioning and call a reputable HVAC company if you hear hissing sounds coming from the compressor.