Home is that one place where you want to spend your time relaxing after a hard day at work. It’s a haven where you can go if you want to escape the pressures and worries of the world. As such, you want to ensure that your property is always in the best condition. After all, you don’t want to live in a hot house during summer or freeze to death during winter.
This is where HVAC systems come into the picture. These systems help maintain the right temperature and humidity levels in your home. But then again, HVAC systems are also not exempt from problems. A refrigerant leak is one of the numerous problems that your HVAC system can experience. In this article, you’ll learn what a refrigerant is, the signs and dangers of refrigerant leaks, and what you can do about them.
What Is a Refrigerant?
A refrigerant is your HVAC system’s fluid that helps cool the air inside your home. They are often used to transfer heat away from the air inside your home and toward the outside.
Most refrigerants are usually in a pressurized gaseous state. However, refrigerants can change into a liquid state when exposed to heat. Throughout the air conditioning cycle, they undergo a repeated phase transition from gas to liquid and vice versa. In either state, refrigerants can absorb and release heat, which helps your HVAC system regulate your home’s temperature.
In the past, refrigerants contain harmful substances, like chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which are flammable, poisonous, and can damage the ozone layer. Nowadays, however, HVAC manufacturers have come up with refrigerants that are more environmentally friendly and safe.
The Typical Causes of Refrigerant Leaks
Refrigerant leaks can usually occur when your HVAC unit experiences wear and tear due to usage over time. However, they can also be caused by various factors, such as:
- Corrosion – HVAC units have copper tube walls that protect the refrigerant from corrosion. However, corrosion can occur if there is a small hole in the copper walls.
- Improper Installation – If you had your HVAC unit installed by an inexperienced or unlicensed technician, it’s possible that they haven’t properly sealed your unit. Leaks may happen because of improper installation.
- Damaged Parts – If any parts in your HVAC unit are damaged, it can cause a refrigerant leak. Commonly damaged parts include the compressor, evaporator, and condenser.
- Poor Maintenance – Not constantly checking if your HVAC system is properly maintained can lead to a refrigerant leak. This is because there is a build-up of dirt and debris in the unit, which can clog up the parts and cause damage. Furthermore, the seals and gaskets can become dry and cracked over time, and the parts can become corroded if they are not properly cleaned.
Why Refrigerant Leaks Are Dangerous to Your HVAC Unit
A refrigerant leak will force your HVAC system to use more energy. Since it cannot reach the required temperature, it will have to work harder and longer, increasing your energy bills. Moreover, a refrigerant leak can cause the compressor to overheat and fail. This can lead to a complete breakdown of your HVAC system, which can be expensive to repair or replace.
Aside from paying more money for your refrigerant, your health will be at risk because of the toxic chemicals in the refrigerant. If you inhale too much of the substances, you can suffer from headaches, nausea, and dizziness. In serious situations, you can even lose consciousness.
The best way to prevent a refrigerant leak is to have your HVAC system regularly serviced. This allows your technician to identify any leaks and repair them before they become a problem. Furthermore, it would help if you noted early signs of refrigerant leakage. This way, you can immediately call an HVAC repair technician for help and prevent further damage.
The Early Signs of Refrigerant Leakage
You should contact an HVAC specialist to come and examine your system for a refrigerant leak as quickly as you notice any of the following:
- Loss of Cooling – Your refrigerant is responsible for cooling your home, so if you see that your home isn’t cooling as efficiently as it used to, there’s a good chance that your refrigerant levels are low.
- Not Emitting Cool Air – People purchase HVAC units to make their homes comfortable and relaxing spaces. That’s why if your unit is not blowing off cool air like it is supposed to, it’s not functioning at its best and needs an HVAC repair company to come and look at it.
- Higher Energy Bills – If your energy bills are suddenly rising, your unit uses more energy than usual to work. This is usually caused by a leak, which means that your refrigerant is leaking out and pushing your unit to work twice as hard.
- Gurgling or Hissing Sounds From the Indoor Unit – One sound you might hear from your indoor unit is a gurgling or hissing noise. This is quite regular and produced by the refrigerant flowing through the unit. However, if the noise is accompanied by water leaking from the unit, it could signal a refrigerant leak, which is a serious problem.
What to Do With a Refrigerant Leak
If you spot your refrigerant levels are low, it’s important to take action immediately. A refrigerant leak can cause your energy bills to skyrocket and cause serious damage to your AC unit. The best way to deal with a refrigerant leak is to call a professional HVAC repair technician. They will diagnose the problem and compensate for the leak quickly, so you can get back to enjoying cool, comfortable air in your home.
With your HVAC system, you want to ensure that you’re working with a company with extensive experience repairing refrigerant leaks. Not only should they be licensed and covered, but you should also feel confident they’ll be able to do the job right. This way, you won’t have to worry about the problem coming back in the future.
HVAC Swami is an HVAC company you can rely on for your AC unit repair needs. We ensure that our technicians have knowledge and expertise about commercial HVAC systems and how to fix their issues. Contact us today!
