3 Signs Your Central AC Has A Refrigerant Leak
Posted on: 8 November 2021
The idea that air conditioners "use up" refrigerant over time is a common misconception. If your AC is low on refrigerant, a leak must be to blame. Unfortunately, you can continue using your air conditioner with low refrigerant for an extended period if you don't know how to identify this problem. This guide will help to familiarize you with three signs your central air-conditioning has a refrigerant leak.
1. Frozen Coils or Refrigerant Lines
Have you ever noticed ice buildup on your air conditioner and wondered how this phenomenon occurs? It may seem counterintuitive, but central air conditioners will often start to freeze up when they are low on refrigerant. The low refrigerant volume allows any remaining refrigerant in the system to expand and create below-freezing temperatures that your AC isn't designed to handle.
Running your air conditioner while it's iced over is never a good idea. Ice buildup increases the strain on your air conditioner by blocking airflow and worsening the cooling effect caused by low refrigerant. These factors combined will significantly reduce the efficiency of your air conditioner and potentially shorten its life.
2. Lukewarm Air From Vents
You may be dealing with a refrigerant leak if the air from your vents is lukewarm when you use your air conditioner. Low refrigerant can reduce AC cooling power in a couple of different ways. If the coils are frozen, they won't be able to absorb heat effectively from the air around them to cool your home. Even if your coils aren't frozen, the total cooling capacity of your system is reduced because there is simply less refrigerant in the coils to absorb heat.
3. A Hissing Sound Near Your AC
Refrigerant is pressurized inside your AC in a continuous cycle of expansion and compression. Highly pressurized refrigerant may make an audible noise as it escapes from pinhole leaks in your refrigerant lines or other small gaps. Make a habit of stopping by your outdoor condenser every month or two to listen for the characteristic hissing and bubbling sounds of escaping gas.
Low AC refrigerant can ruin your home's comfort on the hottest days, but it isn't a problem you have to live with. If you are faced with a refrigerant leak or any other problem that is affecting the performance of your AC, professional HVAC technicians can recharge your system and locate and patch the leak so that the problem doesn't arise again.
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