Your AC is made up of fans, motors and other mechanical components, but the real cooling power comes from the refrigerant that cycles through the system. When your AC has a refrigerant leak, it can’t effectively remove heat from indoor air, leaving you feeling every degree of Detroit’s summer temperatures. These types of leaks aren’t always obvious, so it’s important to know the potential signs and how to get your cooling system running again.
What Does Refrigerant Do in an Air Conditioning System?
Air conditioning refrigerant is a special cooling agent that absorbs heat from indoor air and helps move it outdoors. This enables an AC to circulate cooled air through your living space.
This cooling agent alternates between liquid and gas states during a normal air conditioning cycle:
- As warm indoor air is pulled into the AC, refrigerant in the evaporator coils absorbs heat and humidity, becoming a low-pressure gas.
- The gas travels through the refrigerant lines to the outdoor condenser, where the heat is released outdoors.
- As the heat is removed, the refrigerant condenses back into a liquid, flowing to the evaporator coils to repeat the cycle.
Refrigerants should only be handled by trained and licensed technicians. If you think your AC is leaking, it’s best to call a Detroit AC repair company to investigate.
What Causes an AC Refrigerant Leak?
If your AC is operating properly, it shouldn’t run out of refrigerant. The system is self-contained with the chemical cycling continuously between the evaporator and condenser coils. Levels only drop if refrigerant leaks from the unit.
Leaks are commonly caused by:
- Aging, worn-out parts
- Corrosion
- Damaged or faulty components
- Improper installation
Regular AC tune-ups can help detect potential problems before they become an issue. It may be worth considering an HVAC maintenance plan with prescheduled visits, so there’s one less item on your home maintenance checklist.
Common Signs of a Refrigerant Leak
You might assume a refrigerant leak means you’ll see visible drips, but an AC doesn’t leak like a plumbing pipe. The substance usually escapes through small openings as a liquid or gas, depending on where the cracks are. This makes it harder to detect a leak, especially when it’s tucked away inside the AC unit. Instead, you’ll likely see signs the air conditioner’s cooling cycle has been disrupted.
Frozen AC Coils
When your AC is low on refrigerant, it becomes less efficient at removing heat from indoor air. This can cause the temperature around the evaporator coils to drop below freezing. Ice may form on the coils inside the unit and on the refrigerant lines. If you see liquid pooling around your air conditioner, it could be the ice from a frozen AC beginning to melt.
Faint Hissing Sounds
Listen closely for unusual noises coming from your indoor AC if you think there’s a leak. Refrigerants can make hissing or whistling sounds as they’re released from holes in the evaporator coils or other components. A larger leak may cause bubbling or gurgling. Loud banging or grinding noises from your AC could indicate a mechanical issue and might require emergency HVAC repair.
Cooling Issues
Without adequate refrigerant levels, your air conditioner can struggle to keep your place cool. As a result, you might feel warm air flowing from the supply vents into your living space, making it harder to escape the Michigan summer heat. You might also notice higher humidity levels in your home than usual. While an AC isn’t a dehumidifier, the refrigerant removes some moisture from the air when absorbing heat.
Short or Long Cycling
Refrigerant leaks can also throw off your AC’s cooling cycles. Normally, an AC runs for about 10 to 15 minutes until your home reaches the set temperature. The cooling then shuts off until the thermometer detects rising temperatures again.
When there’s a refrigerant leak, the AC may short-cycle or turn off and on frequently without any noticeable cooling effect. It could also run for extended periods of time without shutting off, unable to remove enough heat to reach your home’s desired temperature.
Why It’s Important to Repair AC Leaks Promptly
Comfort matters during our sweltering summers in the Clinton Township and Farmington Hills area. Most people won’t hesitate to call an AC repair service in Detroit when their air conditioner acts up. But there are other important reasons to have a professional technician inspect a leaking AC.
Without adequate refrigerant, your AC will shift into overdrive, working harder than it needs to in an effort to keep your home cool. As it consumes more electricity, your energy bills will climb. The extra strain on the air conditioner also increases the risk of HVAC components wearing out or getting damaged. You may face major repairs or an earlier-than-planned AC replacement.
How to Fix an AC Leak
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulates refrigerants, so AC leaks must be handled by licensed technicians to minimize safety risks. Our AC repair specialists at Great Dane have the training and specialized tools to safely inspect your cooling system and diagnose the leak.
Repairing the leak depends on the source of the problem and may involve replacing worn valves or joints, cracked refrigerant lines or damaged evaporator coils. In some cases, aging or extensively damaged units may need replacing. Once repairs or installation is complete, we’ll charge the AC refrigerant to proper levels and get your cooling system operating efficiently again.
