Is Your Air Conditioning System Leaking Refrigerant?

Frank Kerr -

Summer is in full swing, and you are getting everything ready to avoid any disturbances during the hottest days of the season. Among other things, you should check your air conditioning system for any HVAC leaks.

Being responsible for heating and cooling your home, the HVAC system is a crucial part of home comfort. Therefore, if any of your heating or cooling appliances experience a problem, their performance and efficiency will be greatly affected. While in the case of an HVAC leak, you can develop serious health issues due to the leaking refrigerant, or Freon, which is an organic solvent composed of chlorofluorocarbons and other related compounds.

So, it is vitally important for you to know the signs of a refrigerant leak in order to keep your home comfortable and to keep you and your loved ones safe.

Signs of a Refrigerant Leak

Please observe carefully, if your AC is showing any of the following signs of a refrigerant leak, contact a licensed HVAC technician to get it fixed immediately.

1) Blows Warm Air

If you notice your AC blowing warm air, or if your home is taking longer than usual to cool down, your AC may be experiencing a leak from your air conditioning system.

2) Low Airflow

If no air, weak air, or low airflow is coming out from vents of your air conditioning system, then it must be low on refrigerant.

3) Ice Build-Up

Look for ice build-up on the evaporator coils, or the copper lines. It’s a clear sign of a refrigerant leak, as when an AC with low refrigerant tries to cool the house, it makes the evaporator coils or the copper lines absorb more heat.

4) High Energy Bills

If you’re getting exorbitant electricity bills, your air conditioning system needs service. The high bills are a result of more energy consumed by your AC, as low refrigerant makes it work harder to cool your house.

Dangers of a Refrigerant Leak

An HVAC problem caused by a refrigerant leak can be very harmful to your health and the environment. Refrigerant contains odorless and tasteless chemicals that pollute the air and damage your respiratory system. Refrigerant poisoning can cause headaches, asthma, and other life-threatening issues such as:

  • Seizures
  • Confusion/Disorientation
  • Mental fatigue
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Labored breathing
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Fluid buildup in lungs

If you, or anybody near you, experience the above conditions, please go to the hospital as quickly as possible.

What to do if You Suspect a Refrigerant Leak?

If you suspect a refrigerant leak, here are few simple things you can do before calling a reliable HVAC service:

  • Try to find refrigerant leak through an electric detector
  • Look for oil on refrigerant lines
  • Try to hear the HVAC leak after ensuring silence around

A thorough search to find and fix the refrigerant leak requires professional help. You can call Heating Experts to get your issue resolved swiftly. Our highly skilled technicians can easily detect and fix the leak. Call us at 1300 100 040.