What To Do When Your AC Is Leaking Refrigerant
The refrigerant in your AC unit is a crucial component of your AC. The AC uses the refrigerant to transfer heat out of your home and your unit will stop working if there is a refrigerant leak. If this is the case, you will have no choice but to hire a residential air conditioning repair technician.
How to Know If There Is a Refrigerant Leak
When your AC is leaking refrigerant, it will make a hissing sound, but you still might not notice that this is happening depending on where the leak occurs. However, there are several warning signs to watch out for. Because the AC unit dehumidifies your home, you might notice that your house is becoming more humid.
You might notice that your home just isn't cooling and your electric bills might be much higher. Your AC is struggling to do more with less refrigerant. This might cause the AC to wear out more quickly as well. When you check the air vents, you might notice that they're cool. You might also notice less airflow.
How to Respond
If you have a refrigerant leak, you will need to have the line repaired or replaced immediately. While the leak can be as small as the size of a pinhole, it can cause a lot of damage. Then, the unit will need to be recharged. The refrigerant may also need to be pressurized to make sure that it continues to operate properly.
If the coolant is leaking out as a liquid instead of superheated gas, the refrigerant is likely being released near the condenser unit and this will usually be much more expensive to repair. The leaks are often the result of corrosion and you can pay hundreds or even thousands of dollars to repair the leaks through welding.
The Consequences of Not Repairing Your AC
If you do not repair your AC, it will take longer for your home to cool down. This is because the limited amount of refrigerant in your unit will not be able to absorb as much heat. The evaporator coils might start to freeze because they are not absorbing enough heat.
While repairing the unit, replacing a line, or replacing the coils can cost money, replacing an entire AC unit can be even more expensive. Therefore, you will always want to contact a residential air conditioning repair technician if you suspect a refrigerant leak. Reach out to a repair professional in your area like one at A1 Zuzu Plumbing, Heating and Air.
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