Signs Your Air Conditioner Has a Refrigerant Leak

During the hot, humid summers in Charlotte, having a fully functioning air conditioner is of the utmost importance. However, like any mechanical system, your AC can encounter problems over time. One common issue that you may experience with your AC system is a refrigerant leak. It’s important to be able to detect a possible refrigerant leak early so that you can act quickly to address the problem and prevent further damage.

In this blog post, the air conditioning experts at Parks Heating Cooling Plumbing & Electrical share the most common signs of a refrigerant leak along with a step-by-step guide on what to do if you notice this issue impacting your cooling system’s performance.

5 Common Symptoms of a Refrigerant Leak

A refrigerant leak can manifest in many different ways, and being able to recognize the signs of a potential problem is the first step in getting the issue resolved. Here are some common signs that your air conditioner has a refrigerant leak:

1. Reduced Cooling

If you notice that your air conditioner isn’t cooling your home as easily as it once did, a refrigerant leak may be to blame. Low refrigerant levels can limit your system’s ability to extract heat from the air, resulting in reduced cooling performance.

2. Warm Air

When your air conditioner fails to maintain the desired temperature in your home, you might notice that it starts to blow warm air from the vents. This is a sure sign that your unit may have a refrigerant leak, as there isn’t sufficient refrigerant to cool the air passing through your air conditioning system.

3. Ice Buildup

It might seem strange, but a refrigerant leak can actually cause ice to form on your air conditioner’s evaporator coils. When your system has low refrigerant levels, it can cause a drop in pressure and temperature within the coil, leading to freezing.

4. Strange Noises

Hissing or bubbling sounds coming from your AC or refrigerant lines can indicate a potential leak. As refrigerant escapes from your system, it can cause hissing and bubbling noises to emanate from your air conditioner.

5. High Bills

Refrigerant leaks can force your system to work harder than necessary to satisfy your comfort demands. As a result, this can lead to costly energy bills as your system consumes more energy to reach the desired temperature.

What To Do if Your AC Has a Refrigerant Leak

If you suspect that you have a refrigerant leak on your hands, there are several steps you can take to prevent further damage to your system:

• Shut down the AC: Turn off your air conditioner the moment you suspect a refrigerant leak to prevent depleting your refrigerant levels.
• Contact an AC technician for repairs: Handling refrigerant requires specialized training and equipment, so it’s best to call a licensed HVAC technician to address the issue.
• Check for other issues: As you wait for your cooling specialist to arrive, inspect your unit for additional problems, such as clogged filters or blocked vents, which can further escalate the issue.
• Schedule annual AC maintenance: Prevention is the key to avoiding serious problems with your cooling equipment. Be sure to book an AC tune-up once annually to catch minor issues before they escalate into major problems.

Schedule an AC Repair With Parks in Charlotte

Think your air conditioner has a refrigerant leak to blame for its poor performance? Have the team at Parks take a look to confirm your suspicions and deliver the air conditioning repair solutions you need to regain total functionality. If the problem is beyond repair, our technicians will present recommendations for an air conditioner replacement. Our team has served the Queen City and surrounding areas since 1973 with top-quality HVAC services. No matter the problem with your air conditioner, you can count on Parks to work quickly to ensure your home is cool and comfortable when you need it most.

Schedule air conditioning services in the Charlotte area by calling Parks at 704-596-8200 today.