The refrigerant lines in your air conditioner are under a lot of pressure. They have to remain airtight in order to circulate the refrigerant and recharge correctly in between cooling cycles. If there is even a pinprick-sized hole, it can lead to a major refrigerant leak.
But how do you know if this happens? The good news is, there are some signs you can watch for that may indicate a refrigerant leak. Our team is full of experts in AC repair in Bucks County, PA. If you suspect you have a refrigerant leak, you can give us a call to check it out. In the meantime, keep reading to learn more about refrigerant leaks so that if you have one you can identify and fix it early.
Lack of Cooling
It’s true that all of your AC components have to work together to cool your home. However, refrigerant has a very big role in cooling your home by removing heat from the air and moving it outside. If you hold your hand up to an air vent in your home, the air should feel very specifically cool. If it feels lukewarm, you may have a refrigerant leak.
High Humidity
In addition to removing heat from the air, your refrigerant also helps to dehumidify your home to a certain degree. When he gets removed from the air, some moisture does too. If you have a refrigerant leak, your air conditioner will not be able to dehumidify the air. Your home may begin to feel warmer than usual and the air may feel heavy.
Extended Cooling Cycles
If it seems like your air conditioner is staying on for a long time, that is a problem. Cooling cycles should rotate between being on and off every 15 to 20 minutes. Longer cooling cycles can mean that your air conditioner is struggling to keep up with your thermostat setting. Sometimes, a refrigerant leak is to blame for this problem.
Increased Energy Usage
If you notice your energy bills going up, that could mean that your air conditioner is using more energy to run. If you haven’t changed your heating and cooling habits, there may be a problem with the system. When you have a refrigerant leak, your air conditioner will begin to work harder to try and produce the same results without successfully cooling your home.
Icy Evaporator Coils
If you notice ice on your outdoor unit during the winter, that’s usually not a problem as long as the ice defrosts regularly. However, noticing ice on the evaporator coil when it’s warm outside is a big problem. Ice is a sign that your refrigerant lines are not working effectively, and may be caused by a refrigerant leak.
Unusual Sounds
If you hear bubbling or hissing coming from your HVAC system, a refrigerant leak may be to blame. The refrigerant inside of your unit alternates between being in a gas or liquid form. A leak in the line where the refrigerant is a gas will produce a hissing sound. A leak in the line where the refrigerant is liquid will produce a bubbling sound.
Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling does what’s right for our customers. Schedule an appointment today for all your HVAC needs.