Your air conditioner has been sitting unused for an entire season, yet you can detect something is wrong with it. This is not an uncommon scenario. There may be many things that could have gone wrong, and you may need to call an expert. A refrigerant leak may be the last thing you need to derail your summer or winter plans. But it’s very common and can be fixed with an expert’s help.
So don’t worry if you detect your AC is acting up.
So, What Is a Refrigerant Leak?
You may be wondering what refrigerant is. Well, it is a compound found in air conditioners and/or your refrigerator. It can be in a liquid or a gaseous state and works by absorbing the heat in the environment or indoors. A refrigerant is also known as a coolant or Freon.
A refrigerant leak occurs when the amount of coolant reduces significantly, contributing to the air conditioner’s poor running. This may lead to the eventual breakdown of the system.
Moreover, it should be cautioned that refrigerant leaks also threaten the environment and can be detrimental to your health.
How to Detect a Refrigerant Leak?
Usually, the sign which gives away that a refrigerant is leaking is the ‘hissing’ noise coming from your air conditioner. This may happen when the refrigerant is leaking from the punctured tube. Secondly, you may detect poor airflow from the air conditioner. Either of these situations may warrant a call to an AC expert now and then for repairing purposes.
Not only this, but any issue regarding your air conditioner may lead to higher energy bills. So you may also want to keep a tab on it.
Causes of a Refrigerant Leak
- Wear and Tear
Wear and tear is a process that cannot be avoided. It can get worse with age. However, the inside of the tubing is one of the components of an AC susceptible to extreme wear and tear. Since refrigerant needs high pressure to circulate, it can cause thinning of the tube. The thinning can then result in a leak.
- Incorrect AC Installation
If your AC parts are not fitted correctly, then it could lead to a refrigerant leak. The chances of the coolant gas escaping grow significantly if AC parts are ill-fitted.
- Loose Joints or Connection
This is also caused by the wear and tear and age of the air conditioning unit. You may want to schedule a tune-up twice a year to call out any such issue.
- Corrosion of Indoor Coil
Copper can easily corrode due to air pollutants. The copper tube walls of the indoor coil may corrode and cause leakage. The corrosion can occur in the form of holes or cracks in the tubes.
Need Help Fixing a Refrigerant Leak?
If you think your air conditioner is suffering from a leak, you should call an HVAC company for an inspection. Need someone reliable? Your best bet is to call Envirotech Air Quality Services. With our efficient team and excellent customer reviews, you can bid your problems relating to air conditioning in West Palm Beach, FL, goodbye!
