What Should You Do If Your Air Conditioner Has A Refrigerant Leak?

A “refrigerant” is a chemical substance that is used in air conditioners. After going through the compressor and evaporator, the refrigerant absorbs heat and delivers cool air. In other words, the ability of an air conditioner to keep your house cold is contingent on the AC refrigerant maintaining proper function.

Leaky air conditioning refrigerant might not appear to be a major problem, but breathing coolant can be quite dangerous. Chemical burns, frostbite, and dizziness can all occur as a result of direct contact. High levels of chemical exposure are capable of causing seizures and loss of consciousness. 

Related Article: Dangers of Refrigerant Leak

ac refrigerant leak

How can you tell if your air conditioner is leaking freon?

When you have a freon leak, keep in mind that the situation might rapidly get worse. The hole often begins as a pinhole leak and becomes much more serious if left unchecked.

These are called “champagne leaks” by an expert air conditioning repair professional since the hole may be seen as a number of tiny bubbles in the evaporator coils. This is where freon leaks are most frequently discovered.

Another fastest way to locate a refrigerant leak is to look for oil on or near the refrigerant lines themselves.

What are some of the most common causes and solutions for air conditioning refrigerant leaks?

Leaks of freon are not as common as you may think, however they do occur. If the installation of a new air conditioning unit is not done correctly, it has the potential to leak freon. A competent air conditioner repairman determines whether there are any freon leaks by testing the system’s soldering with nitrogen (low molecular weight).

Damage is the second most frequent source of freon leaks. Any type of damage to your air conditioning unit can cause various parts to fail. It’s a good idea to tell the lawn crew to be careful with the weedwacker near your AC.

Erosion of the metal over time due to formic acid or formaldehyde corrosion is probably the most typical reason for AC freon leaks. When the acid erodes away at the metal, little holes are formed, and soon after, freon is released from the AC. Depending on the degree of damage, replacing particular components such as coils or  having to install an entirely new unit might be the only solution.

Finally, factory flaws are the last major source of freon leaks. There’s no way to tell whether your brand new air conditioning unit is defective when it comes to holding freon unless you consult an expert air conditioner repairman. Not to mention that most air conditioning manufacturing companies will invalidate the warranty if repairs are carried out by someone who isn’t a trained expert. If you believe your brand new AC is leaking freon, call an air conditioning repair company. It’s not unusual to discover freon leaks 5 to 10 years after getting your initial air conditioner installed!

Related Topic: How to Fix Leaking AC Refrigerant

Refrigerant leak

Air Conditioner Repair and Installation St. Petersburg

If your air conditioner is leaking freon, it’s time to call the experts. Why? Because freon leaks can be highly hazardous to families and the environment. Adding more refrigerant is not a remedy if your air conditioner is leaking refrigerant.Make sure you contact a qualified technician at St. Petersburg, FL to schedule service for your system. We offer air conditioning repair and installation services to homes in areas of Florida such as St. Petersburg, Tampa, Lakewood Estates, Broadwater, Gulfport, Shore Acres, and Lealman, FL.

After conducting a thorough evaluation,we will locate the source of the leak, on your request, fix it, test the repair and then add refrigerant to ensure that your home’s cooling is restored. If you have numerous leaks, Momentum AC specialists may recommend that you replace your refrigerant coil. While repairing holes is less expensive than replacing the coil, you’ll be relieved to know that healthy, non-toxic air is circulating throughout your house.

When it comes to air conditioning, Momentum AC has remained a leader in providing trustworthy and efficient maintenance, repair, and installation services. In addition, we offer other types of HVAC services such as furnace and boiler services, air duct cleaning and dryer vent cleaning. For over 10 years, our experienced and certified technicians have provided top-notch service to cities throughout Tampa. Call (727) 306-2442 to have your leaky air conditioning unit serviced, or contact us online.

Momentum AC Services Inc

2900 18th Ave S, St. Petersburg, FL 33712, United States

(727) 306-2442

Top Articles