Why does my AC sound like popcorn?

Why does my air conditioner sound like popcorn?

If you’ve ever wondered why your air conditioner makes a popping sound, you’re not alone. This is a common question we get here at ACME Air Conditioning, and it’s one that has a pretty simple answer. In short, the popping sound is coming from your compressor, and it’s totally normal. Here’s a quick explanation of what’s going on.

The Compressor

Your air conditioner has two main parts: the evaporator coils and the compressor. The evaporator coils are located inside your house (usually in the attic or basement), while the compressor is located outside. The evaporator coils are responsible for taking the heat out of the air in your house, while the compressor is responsible for pumping refrigerant through the system. 

When Everything is Working Properly…

Under normal circumstances, the compressor will take in vaporized refrigerant from the evaporator coils and compress it, raising its temperature and converting it back into a liquid. Once it’s been compressed, the liquid refrigerant will pass through an expansion valve, where its pressure and temperature are decreased before entering the evaporator coils. And then the whole process starts over again. 

What Causes Popping Sounds?

So what causes the popping sound? Well, sometimes when the compressor is running, it can suck up liquid refrigerant on the intake (suction) side. When this happens, you’ll usually hear a popping sound that’s similar to popcorn popping. It’s important to note that this is totally normal and there’s no need to worry. Your air conditioner is just doing its job!

If you hear a popping sound coming from your air conditioner, don’t panic! It’s most likely just your compressor doing its job. However, if you’re ever concerned about the performance of your AC unit or you notice any strange sounds or smells, be sure to give us a call here at Duct Cleaning Sudbury. We’re always happy to help!