Why is my AC making a hissing noise? 

A hissing noise coming from your HVAC system should not be ignored. Among the probable causes are leaking refrigerant lines, an internal valve leak or a serious issue with your compressor. If the hissing noise is coming from your ducts, then you could 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 a little more. 

Does the hissing sound end after a few seconds? 

If you hear a hissing noise that ends after a few seconds, you may not have any problems. 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 might notice a slight hissing sound as the refrigerant escapes through the leak. It escapes as a gas and can be a serious health concern. If you notice signs of a refrigerant leak, shut down the AC and call a professional HVAC company to come inspect the system. 

If the issue is a valve leak, it should be repaired by a technician as soon as possible. The job of the valves is to manage the pressurization of the refrigerant gas and if unresolved, the leak will worsen. When it does, the hissing sound will sometimes grow louder, which can be a signal if you’re looking for the cause. You must maintain adequate pressure in your HVAC system for it operate correctly, and refrigerant leaks cause additional health and maintenance problems. You ought to get this fixed post haste if possible. 

Are Hissing Noises Coming from the Compressor? 

The compressor is located in the exterior air conditioning unit, which is also called a condenser. Listen quietly for the hissing noise. If the compressor is the cause, this could be a hazardous situation because it is an indication that the pressure within the compressor is too high. If you hear hissing, whistling, or shrieking coming from your compressor, switch off your air conditioner without delay and call an HVAC technician. 

Compressors are some of the most expensive parts to repair or replace inside an AC. Compressors are the part responsible for pushing refrigerant through the system. You cannot power on an HVAC system and cool your home without a compressor. The pricing varies based on factors such as the type, unit size, and brand requirements. If you have a two stage compressor now, 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 components are installed in order to operate safely. While it’s impossible to provide estimates because of the variable costs, the receipt is often big enough to think about a replacement in older units. This is why it’s so important to shut off the air conditioning and call a reliable HVAC company if you hear hissing sounds coming from the compressor.