Having an AC leaking refrigerant is a serious issue.
All central air conditioning units use refrigerant or freon. This coolant is usually a liquid or gas; its main job is to work with the compressor inside your unit to cool off hot air.
To put it simply, refrigerant runs through your air conditioning condenser and compressor system. It converts hot air into cool air through condensing, compressing, and evaporating heat.
After cooling, this air blows through the ductwork and vents within your home. Without refrigerant or with low levels of it, you can’t adequately cool down your home.
Not to mention, refrigerant leaks aren’t just inconvenient. They are also hazardous to your health when neglected. So, if you suspect your air conditioning is leaking refrigerant, it’s time to find AC repair contractors in Lakeside, CA, to get to the bottom of things.
When you encounter any HVAC issues, you can rely on our highly qualified team of trained HVAC professionals at Maximum Comfort Heating & Air Conditioning. Call us at (619) 403-2823 to speak with a qualified HVAC professional about any cooling and heating maintenance and installations and to further explore if your AC unit has refrigerant leaks.
Below are six reasons why your air conditioning could be leaking refrigerant.
1. Wear from Regular Use
One reason why your air conditioner may be leaking refrigerant is from regular wear and tear. During hot California summers, homeowners run their air conditioning frequently.
As your HVAC unit ages every year, various parts and components require attention. Without regular maintenance, your system’s worn parts, like rubber seals, condenser pumps, and valves, may contribute to refrigerant leaks.
Plus, your unit is outside year after year, leading to rusty parts that wear out and require attention. Without any attention, it may lead to weakened areas and cause leaks.
When one of our Maximum Comfort Heating & Air Conditioning professionals performs regular maintenance check-ins, we ensure thorough inspections and transparent guidelines for replacements so your unit doesn’t experience leaks.
2. Pin Leaks
Another reason why air conditioning units experience leaks is due to something called a pinhole leak. When this happens, a byproduct called formic acid builds up. Most often, the build-up occurs on the tubing.
If there’s too much build-up, it wears down the tubing, creating small holes. These small holes allow gas and refrigerant to leak during operation.
3. Factory Defects
Factory defects are yet another cause of freon leaks. Typically, factory defects are a problem with the original manufacturer of your central AC unit. This problem includes poor welding, damaged parts, or bad seals.
Factory-created problems aren’t the most common cause of refrigerant leaks. However, they do affect homeowners in specific situations.
4. Poor Initial Installation
Some jobs are better left to experienced and trained professionals, and HVAC unit installation is one of them. Improper installation can lead to ill-fitting parts and poor efficiency. In addition to these factors, it’s another big reason for refrigerant leaks.
Avoid this potential hazard by hiring trained professionals to handle your AC system installation. This way, you can rest easy knowing your home’s cooling system is functioning correctly.
5. Bad Connections within AC Unit
A common cause of your AC leaking refrigerant is either too tight or too loose of connections. In particular, if something called the flare connection is too tight, you’re at a high risk of leaks.
On the other hand, if your connections are incredibly loose, it creates hazardous conditions where the AC unit doesn’t function properly. Leaking refrigerant is toxic and leads to a loss of consciousness, so it’s best to leave it to the Maximum Comfort Heating & Air Conditioning professionals.
6. Corrosion from Formaldehyde
The final reason you could have an AC leaking refrigerant is formaldehyde corrosion. Since most HVAC units feature copper tubing and parts, they can corrode when they come in contact with formaldehyde.
The naturally occurring elements outdoors also lead to further corrosion of metals that make up your air conditioning condenser.
Tell-Tale Signs That Help You Catch These Causes for Leaks
While all of the previously mentioned reasons why your air conditioning unit may be leaking refrigerant are important, it’s also critical to understand some tell-tale signs that point to a freon leak. If you notice any of these signs, get in touch with experienced professionals as soon as possible:
- Loud noises from the AC unit, such as banging, gurgling, and hissing noises, may require maintenance or repairs.
- Higher than usual electricity bills signify your system is working harder and could mean a potential leak.
- Lack of air and poor flow throughout the home could stem from low refrigerant levels since the unit can’t adequately push enough cold air through the system.
- If your AC unit does not cool down your home efficiently or within a reasonable amount of time, it could point toward low refrigerant levels.
- Increased humidity levels across the home may mean your AC system is not working to cool the house and decrease moisture levels due to pin holes in the tubes.
- Puddles, water, or moisture near the unit or on evaporator coils clearly indicate low refrigerant levels.
Refrigerant Leaks Are Dangerous
Neglecting HVAC servicing is not a good idea, especially if you’re suspicious of a refrigerant leak. If your refrigerant travels through your home’s vents and ductwork, it’s incredibly hazardous to your health.
Symptoms of exposure include lightheadedness, headaches, and trouble breathing. Direct contact leads to loss of consciousness and seizures.
For these reasons, it is vital to leave handling freon or refrigerant leaks to trained professionals. This way, you and your loved ones stay out of harm’s way while our Maximum Comfort Heating & Air Conditioning team orchestrates the repairs.
Contact Local San Diego, CA, HVAC Professionals for Service
No matter the cooling or heating needs, you deserve top-tier refrigerant leak repair service. At Maximum Comfort Heating & Air Conditioning, we believe in providing our customers with exceptional customer service, high-quality work, and transparent pricing.
Whether you have AC leaking refrigerant or need maintenance or installation, call our professionals at (619) 403-2823 for comprehensive services across the greater Lakeside, CA area.