Air conditioners rely on refrigerant to do their job: mixtures of chemicals that circulate through your system and make it possible to cool the air. Every air conditioner relies upon a specific type of refrigerant in specifics amounts. When that amount drops due to a leak or breach in your system, it can cause a number of serious problems. Your air conditioner will struggle to do its job, creating more strain on the system while raising both your monthly bills and the possibility of repairs. Here in Salt Lake City, UT, summer is just around the corner, and the sooner you deal with leaking refrigerant, the better. But how can you tell if this is the problem? Here are 3 signs of leaking refrigerant in your air conditioner to look out for.
Frost on the Coils
The actual process of cooling the air takes place in the evaporator coils, where the refrigerant shifts from liquid to gaseous form and pulls heat from the nearby air as part the process. When refrigerant levels are low, the process is imperfect, and frost and ice will appear on the coils.
Higher Bills
Leaking refrigerant means that the air conditioner needs to work harder to cool your home, which translates to higher monthly bills. If your energy costs are spiking despite the fact that you’re not using your air conditioner any more often than normal, you may be suffering from leaking refrigerant.
Bubbling or Hissing Noises
If you can hear a noise like air escaping from your air conditioner, it’s likely caused by a leak in the refrigerant lines somewhere. A trained professional can pinpoint the leak and seal it before recharging the refrigerant to its normal levels.
If you’re worried about leaking refrigerant, or just want to give your air conditioner a tune up before summer starts, contact the experts at Design Comfort today!
