What to Do If Your Air Conditioner Has a Refrigerant Leak
Any Season HVAC • April 3, 2020
Look for the Signs of a Leak
What are the top signs of an air conditioner refrigerant leak? Refrigerant is a liquid used in AC systems. It pulls heat from the surrounding air and cools your home's interior as it evaporates in the AC unit's evaporator coil. The system pumps the remaining hot gas outside into the outdoor condenser. The condenser then turns the gas back into liquid.
Without an adequate amount of refrigerant, the AC system can't complete this heat-grabbing/cooling evaporation cycle. The most common signs of a refrigerant leak include:
- Slow to cool system. Your home may still cool, but not effectively or efficiently. You may notice that it takes significantly longer for the indoor air to feel cool (in comparison to what you'd typically expect or feel).
- Warmer home interior. When your system does finally start to cool your home, a refrigerant leak may mean it doesn't work as effectively. You may notice a warmer indoor air temperature — even though you continue to set the thermostat lower.
- Complete loss of cooling. Do your vents blow warm air? A complete loss of cooling may indicate a refrigerant leak.
- Frozen coils. Without the ability for the evaporator coils to absorb heat (without enough refrigerant), they can freeze.
- Odd sounds. Hissing or other odd noises could indicate a crack or damage in the line.
Along with these signs, you may also notice a sudden unexplained spike in your electric bills. A slow to cool system or one that blows air may force your system to work harder. This decreases the AC unit's energy efficiency and can lead to higher utility bills.
Contact a Licensed Professional
While slow, limited, or complete lack of cooling are all symptoms of a refrigerant leak, they're also signs of other potential AC problems. If your system has any of these issues, you need the help of a licensed HVAC professional.
Why isn't a potential refrigerant leak a do-it-yourself job? A professional is the right person for this job for many reasons, including:
- Correct diagnosis. Again, the symptoms of a refrigerant leak may mimic other AC issues. A trained, experienced professional can inspect the unit and provide you with the correct diagnosis.
- Refrigerant refill. A low refrigerant level requires a refill. If there isn't a leak, but the unit is low, only a licensed, qualified contractor should top off the system. If your unit uses Freon (R-22), only a Section 608–certified technician can refill it.
- Refrigerant line repair. If there is a leak, you need a qualified technician to repair it correctly. Like with a refill, only Section 608 certified HVAC professionals can repair R-22 refrigerant-containing air conditioners.
- Replacement. An older leaky unit may not warrant a repair. If your unit is inefficient and expensive to repair, the professional can help you to decide whether a replacement is the right option for your family. This could save you time and money in the long-term.
Not only can the professional correctly repair or replace your system, but they can also save you from a potentially serious safety hazard. Exposure to refrigerant gases, such as Freon, can result in serious symptoms such as breathing issues, fluid buildup in your lungs, or organ damage. Mild exposure can result in eye irritation, nausea, headache, dizziness, or vomiting.
Does your AC system's issues match the signs of a refrigerant leak? Contact Any Season Heating & Air Conditioning
for more information.
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Prepare Your Furnace For Winter!
Winter is approaching soon and you know what that means - high heating bills. While staying warm is essential during the chilly months, it doesn't have to come at the cost of skyrocketing utility bills. With a few simple strategies and maintenance tips, you can keep your home cozy without breaking the bank. Our professional technicians at Any Season HVAC have over 25 years of experience and have picked up on many tips on how to save money during the cold winters! 1. Regular Furnace Maintenance One of the most critical steps to ensure your furnace operates efficiently and economically is to schedule regular maintenance. An annual check-up by a professional technician can identify and address any issues, such as clogged filters or worn-out parts, before they lead to higher energy consumption and costly repairs. 2. Replace Air Filters A clean air filter is essential for efficient furnace operation. Dirty or clogged filters restrict airflow, causing your furnace to work harder and use more energy to maintain your desired temperature. Check and replace your furnace filters regularly, typically every one to three months, depending on the filter type and usage. If they’re running less, you’ll be saving much more money. 3. Upgrade to a Programmable Thermostat Investing in a programmable thermostat can significantly reduce your heating costs. These smart devices allow you to set different temperatures for various times of the day, automatically lowering the heat when you're away or sleeping and raising it when you're home and awake. This can result in substantial energy savings over time. 4. Seal Air Leaks Drafts and air leaks around windows, doors, and other openings can let cold air in and warm air out, making your furnace work harder to maintain a comfortable temperature. Inspect your home for any gaps and seal them with caulk or weatherstripping. Additionally, consider adding insulation to your attic and walls to further improve energy efficiency. 5. Utilize Zone Heating Instead of heating your entire home uniformly, consider using zone heating. This involves heating only the rooms you use most frequently, like the living room and bedrooms, while keeping unused areas cooler. Space heaters or ductless mini-split systems can help you achieve this and reduce your overall heating costs. 6. Maximize Natural Sunlight During the day, open curtains and blinds to let natural sunlight in. Sunlight can naturally warm your home, reducing the need for your furnace to work overtime. Just remember to close them at night to retain as much heat as possible. 7. Lower the Thermostat at Night Lowering your thermostat a few degrees when you go to sleep can lead to substantial savings. You can compensate by using extra blankets or wearing warmer pajamas. A programmable thermostat makes it easy to automate this temperature adjustment. 8. Keep Furniture and Drapes Away from Vents Ensure that furniture, rugs, and drapes do not obstruct heating vents or radiators. Blocking these sources of heat can reduce their efficiency and force your furnace to work harder. Not only that, but it is also a fire hazard to have objects close to hot vents. Lowering your heating bills during the winter doesn't mean sacrificing comfort. By implementing these tips and making a few adjustments to your heating habits, you can stay cozy while saving on energy costs. Remember that a well-maintained furnace and a well-insulated home are your allies in achieving both warmth and savings. Take these steps, and you'll not only enjoy a comfortable winter but also a lighter load on your wallet. Our experts at Any Season Heating & Air Conditioning can help give you advice on which system to go with to help save you money. Heating and cooling gets expensive during winter and summer so do what you can to avoid those bills. Contact us today to get more info on your furnace. We serve all of the Chicagoland area in towns such as Mokena , Palos Park , Palos Heights , Frankfort , Lockport , and more!
