If you’re not getting proper cooling from your air conditioner, chances are there is a refrigeration leak. Here are the 3 most common signs of refrigeration leaks in your air conditioner.
3 Signs of AC Refrigeration Leaks
1. Cooling Power Decreased
This is the first thing that you’ll notice when you’ve got a refrigeration leak in your air conditioner. Refrigerant plays a key role in cooling your space. Its main duty is to absorb the heat from your space and transfer the heat outside. When the refrigerant level is low, your air conditioner won’t be able to produce enough cooling.
Again, no matter what thermostat setting you use, your house will stay warm for a long time even after turning your air conditioner on. The main reason behind this is there must be a leak or hole in the air conditioner components. When there is a leak in the refrigerant components, Freon or refrigerant will come out of the hole or leak, and the refrigerant level will go down. As a result, there won’t be adequate refrigerant in your air conditioner to absorb the heat and transfer it outside. Because of that, you won’t get enough cooling from your air conditioner.
2. Evaporator Coil is Frozen
The second sign you’ll see when you’ve got a refrigeration leak is that a frozen evaporator coil. When there’s enough refrigerant in your air conditioner, the refrigerant will prevent the evaporator coil from freezing. Because when there’s enough refrigerant in your air conditioner, the evaporator coil will absorb the heat, and thus it doesn’t get frozen. To check the evaporator coil, inspect the outside unit of your air conditioner. You’ll see the evaporator coil in the back of your air conditioner, and it directly connects to your home.
If you notice that the evaporator coil is a little bit cold from the outside or there’s a frost, immediately turn your HVAC system off. It’ll allow the evaporator coil to return to its original condition. Ice on the evaporator coil may not seem that much alarming to everyone, but it can lead your HVAC system to a system breakdown, and you may have to spend big bucks to fix this problem.
So, as soon as you see the frozen evaporator coil, you should keep in mind that it’s happening because of a refrigeration leak. After noticing this sign, you should call an HVAC professional as soon as possible because a delay can cause you big bucks.
3. Sound Coming Out of the Indoor Unit
If there’s a leak in your air conditioner, air passing through these leaks or holes will make a hissing sound. But there can be various reasons behind this sound, a refrigerant leak is one of the most common reasons. It’s important to perform both visual and auditory inspection while checking your HVAC system. While making the auditory inspection, make sure your television and other gadgets aren’t making any sound. It’ll be easier for you to find the problem. When you pick up the sound, mark the place from where it’s coming so that when you call an HVAC professional, you can show him the exact place. It’ll save time for both parties.
These are the top 3 signs of air conditioner refrigeration leaks. Besides these, you’ll notice that your electrical bill has gone up. Because when there’s a leak in the HVAC system, your air conditioner will lower the thermostat, and as a result, your HVAC system will consume more electricity. So, review your utility bills and check whether the electricity bills have gone up or not. As soon as you find leakage, call an HVAC professional because the refrigerant leak can completely shut down your air conditioner.
See the summary infographic of this content here – 3 Signs of AC Refrigeration Leaks [Infographic]
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