Ways to Tell Your AC Has Refrigerant Leaks

A problem many people run into with their home air conditioning systems is refrigerant leaks. Even well-maintained systems can develop leaks. Chemicals in household air can cause a type of corrosion on copper refrigerant lines and coils that leads to tiny pinhole leaks. Regular maintenance helps detect leaks early so they can be repaired before the AC suffers significant damage or your cooling declines.

Beyond maintenance visits, are there other ways to tell your AC is leaking refrigerant? Yes. Here are the most common signs that it is time to call for air conditioning repair.

1. A hissing or bubbling sound

As refrigerant escapes through small holes in the lines or coil, it can make an unusual sound. Hissing typically indicates gaseous refrigerant escaping under pressure, and bubbling can indicate liquid refrigerant escaping. If you notice either sound from your AC, have it checked soon.

2. A rise in indoor humidity

Although losing refrigerant will eventually reduce your air conditioner's cooling power, you may notice a change in humidity first. As refrigerant in the evaporator coil absorbs heat to cool the air, the coil also pulls moisture out of the air. With less refrigerant in the coil, more moisture stays in the air and your home can feel oddly clammy.

3. A decline in cooling power

People are often surprised that this is not always the first sign of a refrigerant loss, but it does happen eventually. When your AC struggles to reach its normal temperature setting, it may indicate a significant drop in the refrigerant charge. Whatever the underlying cause, it is worth having a technician take a look.

4. Ice on the evaporator coil

This may seem strange at first. Why would less refrigerant make the coil colder and freeze over? The remaining refrigerant in the coil drops to a lower pressure and temperature, so the coil stays below freezing and moisture freezes on its surface. Please do not try to scrape off the ice. That does not address the underlying problem and can damage the coil. Turn the system off and call for service.

5. Short-cycling

Short-cycling is when the air conditioner turns on and off rapidly over a short period of time. A typical cooling cycle runs roughly 15 to 20 minutes, followed by a break. When the cycles and breaks become much shorter, the air conditioner is working harder than normal, and a refrigerant loss is one possible cause.

6. High energy bills

Any time your summer electric bills rise unexpectedly, the air conditioning system is a good place to look. Losing refrigerant forces the AC to run longer and work harder to make up for its reduced cooling capacity.

Left unrepaired, a refrigerant leak can eventually lead to compressor damage, which is one of the more costly repairs an AC can need. Simply adding refrigerant without finding the leak is only a temporary measure, so a proper repair locates and fixes the leak before the system is recharged.

Refrigerant Leak Repair in Burlington County

Gibson Home Services is EPA certified and repairs all major brands of air conditioners for homeowners in Cherry Hill, Delran, Moorestown and across Burlington County. If you think your air conditioner may have a leak, we will diagnose the problem and explain your options clearly.

Call (856) 220-4158 or request service online to schedule a visit with Gibson Home Services.