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Leaking Refrigerant

How Can I Tell If My A/C is Leaking Refrigerant?

One common problem homeowners experience with their air conditioning systems is leaking refrigerant. This problem will make it difficult for your air conditioning system to work. The leaking refrigerant can also be dangerous to your health. Getting the problem identified and fixed as soon as possible will limit any health risks.

What is Refrigerant?

Refrigerant is a substance used within air conditioning systems to transfer heat. As air enters in through your blower fan, it will pass over the evaporator coils. Inside of these coils is the refrigerant which attracts heat from the air.

As the cold air returns to the rooms in your home, the warmed refrigerant goes to your outdoor unit. The heat is then dispersed via the condenser coil, and the refrigerant enters back into your home. This process of heat transfer into the refrigerant continues over and over again. It will continue until your thermostat kicks the system off.

Common Signs of a Refrigerant Leak

The most common sign of a refrigerant leak is poor cooling. When there isn't enough refrigerant in your system, it cannot remove the heat from the inside of your home. You'll notice that it stays warm even though your air conditioner keeps running.

Another key indicator of a leak is high humidity inside of your home. In the cooling process, the system removes water from the air as heat moves into the refrigerant. When there is a lack of this substance, moisture isn't removed from the air. This can leave the inside of your home feeling hot and stuffy.

If you have a large refrigerant leak, then you'll likely be able to hear it. This leak may sound like a hissing or bubbling noise coming from the copper tubing inside of your system. It's best to turn your system off and wait for an HVAC professional if you're experiencing this sign.

Causes and Solutions to Your Leaky AC System

There are many different causes that could allow refrigerant to leak out of your HVAC system. Corrosion is the most common culprit. The metal copper tubing can corrode over time and develop unwanted holes and cracks. Another culprit can include weakened joints and connections of your copper tubing. Additionally, if your HVAC system is new, then it's likely an error in installation. Regardless of the cause, it's best to consult an HVAC professional. They can perform the repairs on your system.

Call Us Today

If you believe that your HVAC system has a refrigerant leak, then it's time to give us a call. Let our knowledgeable HVAC professionals identify the leak. We can repair it so that you can get back to enjoying your home air conditioning.