Refrigerant leaks are a common issue in Clearwater, FL, that can reduce cooling performance and increase energy bills. Additionally, if left untreated for too long, a refrigerant leak could damage your AC unit, too.
Fortunately, One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating addresses the entire Clearwater area. Below, we’ll provide the top nine signs that your AC has developed a refrigerant leak.
Quick Takeaways
- Refrigerant leaks can reduce cooling and raise energy bills.
- Low refrigerant can damage your AC compressor.
- Warm air, ice buildup and hissing sounds are common warning signs.
- Refrigerant does not get used up during normal operation.
- Professional AC repair is needed to locate and fix the leak.
1. Warm Air Coming From Your Vents
It’s hard to ignore when warm air starts blowing from your vents. Therefore, this is often the first sign that homeowners notice when they’ve got a refrigerant leak.
As your refrigerant levels drop, it makes it harder for your AC to efficiently absorb indoor heat. As a result, you’ll experience airflow blockage, resulting in reduced cooling capacity.
2. Your AC Runs Longer Than Normal
Having restricted airflow makes your AC work harder than usual, which also makes it run longer than normal. Furthermore, it’ll have difficulty reaching the thermostat setting, so your family will be less comfortable.
3. Your Energy Bills Keep Climbing
Along with less comfort comes rising energy bills. The increased strain placed on the AC system and reduced unit efficiency combine to present a clear sign of a needed repair.
Our professionals will thoroughly examine the unit to determine if the cause is a refrigerant leak, outdated equipment or a dirty air filter.
4. Ice Forms on Refrigerant Lines
This is a clear indicator that you’re dealing with low refrigerant and/or low airflow. When you have low refrigerant, the pressure drops, which leads to the evaporator becoming too cold.
5. Your Evaporator Coil Freezes Over
Localized freezing can affect your refrigerant lines. However, if your evaporator coil becomes frozen, it means the coil is completely encased in ice.
You’re likely to experience higher energy bills and reduced cooling performance. Moreover, you may also suffer from water damage and/or severe system damage, including compressor failure.
6. You Hear Hissing or Bubbling Sounds
If a bubbling or hissing noise is coming from your AC unit, it’s a sign that refrigerant is escaping. Either of these sounds require you to turn off your AC immediately and call HVAC professionals.
Otherwise, you’ll end up with one or more of the following:
- Frozen coils
- Compressor failure
- Higher energy bills
- Water damage
7. Indoor Humidity Feels Higher Than Normal
Refrigerant serves as the thermal medium for dehumidification. Therefore, as the refrigerant continues to leak, your humidity levels can rise. Your indoor space might be cool, but it’ll also feel clammy and sticky.
8. Airflow Feels Weak Throughout the Home
Low refrigerant stresses critical components and drops cooling capacity. If the problem isn’t fixed right away, it increases the risk of total system failure, too. Additionally, the upper levels of your home may feel even warmer than the lower level due to weakened airflow.
9. Your AC Struggles During Clearwater’s Hottest Days
Clearwater frequently passes the 90°F mark. Even worse, high levels of humidity often make it feel like it’s 103°F or above. Brutally hot Florida days make small refrigerant leaks become much more obvious.
Is an AC Refrigerant Leak Dangerous?
Yes, an AC refrigerant leak is highly dangerous and can cause health and environmental risks. System damage can also happen, including coil freezing and compressor failure.
Health risks include frostbite with direct contact and heightened risks for vulnerable people like children or those with asthma. Also, inhalation and asphyxiation can cause headaches, dizziness, shortness of breath, nausea and loss of coordination.
Older units containing Freeon will have a highly damaging effect to the ozone layer. Even modern units could cause increased global warming if you develop a refrigerant leak.
What Causes Refrigerant Leaks?
The top five causes of a refrigerant leak include:
- Corrosion
- Aging components
- Vibration damage
- Poor installation
- Physical damage to refrigerant lines
What Should You Do If You Suspect a Refrigerant Leak?
As soon as you become aware of a suspected severe refrigerant leak, you should turn off your system immediately. Next, call our experts to schedule a professional diagnosis.
It’s vital to repair the leak itself before adding any new refrigerant. Always ensure you restore refrigerant to your specific unit’s manufacturer specifications.
FAQ
Are you looking for an answer to a specific question? Please check our list of frequently asked questions!
Can a refrigerant leak make you sick?
Yes, and it can even lead to refrigerant poisoning. The most common symptoms include dizziness, headaches, shortness of breath or coughing. Further symptoms are nausea, vomiting and eye, nose and throat irritation.
What does a refrigerant leak smell like?
When you develop a refrigerant leak, you can expect to notice a chemical smell or a sweet, chloroform-like odor.
Why is my AC low on refrigerant?
Low refrigerant always indicates a leak in your system. There are multiple possible causes, including coil corrosion, physical damage, vibrations, improper installation or leaky rubber seals.
Can I keep running my AC with a refrigerant leak?
No, it is not advised to keep running your AC. Doing so can cause serious damage to the compressor. Moreover, it will raise your energy bills and could also cause harmful gases to circulate in your home.
Is adding refrigerant a permanent fix?
No. Your system should be able to continuously reuse the same refrigerant. If you need to add more, it means you’ve got a leak.
How much does refrigerant leak repair cost?
Getting your refrigerant leak repaired can run you anywhere from around $225 to $1,600+. The longer you wait, the higher the price becomes.
Clearwater’s Expert HVAC Team
A refrigerant leak can’t fix itself. Waiting simply leads to higher repair bills, too. Therefore, if you’ve got any of the above signs of a leak, reach out to Clearwater One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating.
We provide professional AC repair services throughout Clearwater, FL, and the surrounding areas, including refrigerant leak detection, system diagnostics and repairs. We’re always on time or you don’t pay a dime!