What Do Those Noises From Your Ductless Mini-Split System Mean?

You may love your ductless mini-split system for its convenience. However, it’s still subject to problems, including strange noises that you can’t decipher. Here is what some of those noises might mean.

Gurgling Noises

You may hear gurgling sounds if you also use your system to heat your house during the winter. Because the mini-split system is working much like a heat pump, it has to reverse the way it operated during the summer. As it does this, you may hear a gurgling or a whooshing noise as any ice in the outdoor condenser melts. You shouldn’t worry about this noise unless it is constant, and the reason it would be constant is because the refrigerant may be low. In that case, call a HVAC professional.

Cracks and Pops

Cracks and pops may also seem alarming, but they usually aren’t indicative of a problem. You’ll hear these sounds when the system is cooling down or heating up. Since the evaporator has a plastic covering, it’ll contract when it cools off and expand when it warms up. This is what’s causing that cracking/popping sound, and it shouldn’t cause damage to your unit.

Rattling Noises

In contrast to gurgles, whooshes, cracks, and pops, rattles might indicate a problem. Rattles often mean that something is loose or that something has gotten into the system that doesn’t belong there. It might be as simple as the evaporator’s cover not being secure, or it might be something that needs to be dealt with by a professional. If you still hear rattling even after you’ve secured the cover of the indoor unit and cleaned the debris from the outdoor unit, call an HVAC technician.

Buzzing Noises

If you hear buzzing from your ductless mini-split system, it might mean that there’s something wrong with its electrical system. An electrical component that’s out of whack is really a job that a professional should diagnose and repair.

Hissing or Whistling Sounds

Like rattling and buzzing, whistling and hissing are likely to mean a real problem with your mini-split system. Specifically, these sounds probably mean that your refrigerant is leaking. Leaking refrigerant stresses the system to the point where its motor can overheat and fail. Refrigerant that contaminates your compressor can destroy it, which means you’ll have to replace your entire system. If you hear hissing or whistling, shut the system down, and call an HVAC professional.

Call Us for Help With Your AC System

Your ductless mini-split system has some advantages over traditional air conditioning systems, but it still needs help now and then. If your ductless mini-split system is making strange noises or needs other types of service, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our experienced HVAC professionals at Blaze Air, which serves the Wilmington, Greensboro, and Zebulon, NC areas.