Refrigerant and Signs Indicating Refrigerant Problems Explained
Refrigerant is a crucial part of the air conditioning system. However, when refrigerant levels are too high or too low due to overcharged refrigerant or a refrigerant leak, it can cause problems for the household and the air conditioner. This guide will discuss what refrigerant is for, the signs that can indicate refrigerant issues, and tips to help prevent them.
What Refrigerant Does in an Air Conditioning System
Refrigerant serves as the essential heat transfer medium that makes air conditioning possible by continuously absorbing and releasing thermal energy. This specialized chemical compound circulates through the AC system's closed loop, changing between liquid and gas states to move heat from inside the home to the outside environment.
The cooling process begins when liquid refrigerant enters the evaporator coil inside the home, where it absorbs heat from the indoor air and transforms into a gas. This phase change allows the refrigerant to capture significant amounts of thermal energy. The gaseous refrigerant then travels to the outdoor condenser unit, where it releases the absorbed heat and condenses back into liquid form.
Common Signs of a Refrigerant Leak or Overcharged Refrigerant
When a refrigerant leak occurs, it can cause several warning signs that homeowners can spot, allowing them to call for refrigerant leak repair. The air conditioning system can struggle to maintain comfortable temperatures, often producing warm air from vents instead of the cool relief people expect. Besides these comfort issues, ice formation on the evaporator coil, higher energy bills, and hissing noises can also indicate a refrigerant leak.
Interestingly, overcharged refrigerant can also lead to some of the same signs as a refrigerant leak, such as issues with cooling or warm air from vents and higher energy bills. Both scenarios, where refrigerant levels are too high or too low, can also stress the air conditioning equipment and reduce its lifespan. So, it’s important to call a professional technician who can use specialized gauges to determine whether the issue is a leak or overcharging.
How to Help Prevent These Refrigerant Issues
Most refrigerant issues stem from improper handling or neglected system care. An effective way to avoid overcharging refrigerant is to rely on a professional to refill it, as they have the necessary equipment and expertise to prevent overcharging the refrigerant. Typically, overcharging is caused by people trying to do it themselves and adding too much refrigerant to their system.
To help prevent refrigerant leaks, it’s important for homeowners to schedule routine air conditioner maintenance. During an annual AC maintenance visit, professionals help prevent a refrigerant leak by cleaning the coils. Additionally, they will check refrigerant levels during their inspection to address any issues before they worsen and affect the air conditioner's lifespan and its components.
About Triple A Air Conditioning & Heating
Triple A Air Conditioning & Heating has more than 40 years of experience serving the Corpus Christi community. They provide free estimates, prompt response, and fully trained, licensed, and certified technicians. Call them for AC refrigerant leak repair services in Corpus Christi, TX.
