Do You Really Have to Refrigerant Leak? 4 Signs to Tell

The refrigerant plays a major role in the functioning of the air conditioning system. A leak here, if left unchecked, can contribute to health issues, in addition to preventing you from enjoying your space. It may be difficult to detect such a leak, but some signs can alert you of a leaking air conditioner. These signs include:

1. Strange Noises from the Air Conditioner

The refrigerant, which is a pressurized gas, is likely leaking if you hear a hissing sound coming from the air conditioner. It may not be easy to observe it visually, but you may feel it released if you're close to the unit. This leak may occur either in the refrigerant lines or the internal valve. In the case of a continuous whistling sound, you are advised to keep the air conditioner switched off until an AC repair professional fixes it.

2. An Air Conditioner That Won't Cool Your Space

It can be incredibly inconvenient if, especially during the hot season, you set the AC to cool your space, but all it produces is warm air. A common cause is if the air filter is filled with dust. This can result in a lack of adequate space to allow the floor of cool air into the room. To resolve this, the air filter should be cleaned regularly, thus helping to prevent a malfunction of the air conditioner. 

Another possible cause of an AC unit that won't cool is low refrigerant levels. This prevents proper functioning because the refrigerant is insufficient to effectively run the air conditioning unit. 

3. A Frozen Evaporator Coil

Accumulated dust in the air filter or low refrigerant levels can also contribute to the freezing of the coil. Moreover, debris in the air filters blocks air from flowing to the evaporator coil, causing the surrounding temperatures to drop and freeze. When the coil freezes, moisture accumulates, and water leaks into your indoor spaces, causing dampness and vulnerability to mold and mildew. Therefore, it is important to regularly clean the air filter and call a professional if your AC components are frozen.

4. An Increase in Your Utility Bills

Refrigerant leaks from the air conditioner can cause your AC to overwork due to low refrigerant levels. This reduction in your unit's efficiency inevitably increases your utility bills. Thus, it is important to have it fixed to avoid increased bills that can otherwise add up to a hefty sum.

A leaky air conditioner can be inconvenient and require either repair or replacement to address it. Sometimes, the AC professional may recommend installing a new air conditioning system if it is the more long-term, energy-efficient, and cost-effective solution.


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