Any abnormal sound coming from your home’s air conditioning system requires expert attention ASAP. But what counts as an “abnormal” sound? If you’ve lived with your particular air conditioner for more than a month, you should already have a good sense of the noise it generates during normal operation: a steady humming from the fans, with a regular increase in volume when the compressor starts up the cooling cycle. During start-up, minor clicking noises are normal as long as the air conditioner shows no signs of struggling (“hard starting”) to get to work.
Sounds that fall outside of this small circle can be considered abnormal. A common one is a hissing noise, which can signal a number of different issues that require professional attention. For expert, NATE-certified technicians to handle your air conditioning repair in Trinity, FL, call Ierna’s Heating & Cooling.
Reasons for that hissing noise
The most serious problem that might create a hissing noise is an issue in the compressor. The compressor plays a major role in providing cooling: it compresses the refrigerant that cycles through your air conditioner and making the cooling cycle possible. Without the compressor, the refrigerant won’t be able to cool your home. The hissing noise could indicate a leak in the compressor, allowing the compressed refrigerant to escape. This requires immediate attention, and the compressor will likely need replacement.
Another possibility—if your air conditioner is a heat pump that also provides warmth in cold weather—is that the reversing valve has developed a fault. This valve is responsible for changing the direction of the flow of refrigerant for the switch from heating to cooling, but in any season it can start to leak and create a hissing noise. This also will require professional repair.
Call in professionals
The complexity of a modern air conditioner (or heat pump) means that you should not attempt to handle repairs on your own. If you hear hissing, it usually means that refrigerant is escaping somewhere. You’ll need a trained professional to find out the exact problem and recharge the refrigerant to its correct level using the proper refrigerant mix.
Help isn’t far away: when you need air conditioning repair in Trinity, FL, call on Ierna’s Heating & Cooling 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.