The Dangers of Low Refrigerant: 5 Signs Your AC is Leaking
As we wrap up another cooling season, it's the perfect time to address any performance issues you noticed with your AC. If your system struggled to keep up during the last heatwave, the culprit could be a refrigerant leak.
Many homeowners mistakenly believe that refrigerant (also known by the brand name Freon) is a type of fuel that an air conditioner "uses up" over time. The truth is, your AC operates with a sealed, pressurized charge of refrigerant that should last the entire life of the unit. If the level is low, it always means there's a leak somewhere in the system.
Ignoring this issue can lead to sky-high energy bills, poor performance, and eventually, catastrophic system failure. In this guide, we'll cover the common causes of refrigerant leaks, the five telltale signs to watch for, and the correct way to get it fixed to protect your investment.
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What Causes Refrigerant Leaks in the First Place?
A loss of refrigerant is never normal. It's always a symptom of an underlying problem that needs to be addressed. The most common causes include:
- Corrosion Over Time: Over many years, a type of corrosion known as formicary corrosion can create microscopic pinhole leaks in the copper tubing of your indoor evaporator coil, allowing refrigerant to seep out slowly.
- Vibrations and Wear & Tear: The constant, subtle vibrations of a running air conditioner can weaken solder joints and connections over the years. Eventually, these weak points can develop into small cracks and become a source of a leak.
- Physical Damage: The outdoor condenser unit is exposed to the elements. Damage from a stray rock thrown by a lawnmower, a weed eater getting too close, or even hailstones can puncture the delicate fins and tubing, causing a significant refrigerant leak.
5 Telltale Signs Your AC is Low on Refrigerant
A refrigerant leak can manifest in several ways. If you notice any of the following symptoms, it's a strong indicator that your system needs a professional inspection.
Sign 1: Lack of Cool Air & Weak Airflow
This is the most obvious sign. Your system will run, the fans will blow, but the air coming from your vents will feel lukewarm or just cool, not cold. A system low on refrigerant simply doesn't have enough cooling agent to effectively absorb heat from your home's air.
Sign 2: Ice Buildup on Coils or Lines
It seems counterintuitive, but low refrigerant can cause parts of your AC system to freeze over. When the refrigerant level drops, the pressure inside the evaporator coil (the indoor coil) also drops. This causes the coil to get far too cold, and the condensation that normally forms on it will freeze solid. This ice buildup not only signals a problem but also blocks airflow, making the cooling issue even worse.
Sign 3: Hissing or Bubbling Sounds
While your AC should make some noise, you should listen for unusual sounds. A larger refrigerant leak can sometimes produce a distinct hissing or bubbling sound. You might hear this near the indoor air handler or the outdoor condenser unit as the pressurized gas or liquid escapes the lines.
Sign 4: Higher-Than-Normal Electric Bills
When your air conditioner is low on refrigerant, its cooling capacity is severely diminished. To compensate, the system has to run for much longer and more frequent cycles to even attempt to reach the temperature set on your thermostat. This constant operation leads to a sudden and significant spike in your monthly energy bills.
Sign 5: Water Leaking Around the Indoor Unit
The thick layer of ice that forms on a frozen evaporator coil can't stay there forever. When the system eventually cycles off, that ice will melt. Your AC's condensate drain system is designed to handle normal condensation, but it can easily be overwhelmed by a large amount of melting ice, leading to water pooling on the floor around your indoor unit.
FAQs
There are many signs your air conditioner could be low on refrigerant. Some of these include:
- Vents are not blowing cold air.
- Higher electric bill.
- Ice on refrigerant lines.
- Hissing/bubbling noise coming from the unit.
At Comfort Central, we’re dedicated to making sure that you have cool air right when you need it and are satisfied with our work. We offer repair services for AC units as well as maintenance to help prevent any future leaks down the line. For more information on our AC repair services, contact us today.
When your AC’s refrigerant is low, it causes a lot of problems for your system. The coils can freeze over which causes the unit to fail to cool the house properly, wasting energy and raising your electric bills. Leaving refrigerant levels low can also cause damage to the compressor which can be costly to replace. If you suspect your AC may be low on refrigerant, you should have it checked by a professional as soon as possible.
At Comfort Control, we are committed to keeping your home cool and comfortable. We offer expert AC repair services as well as maintenance services that help to spot problems like this before they cause any damage to your system. To learn more about our AC services, contact us today.
Freon does not get used up by your AC unit. Therefore, if you have low refrigerant, it means that your air conditioner has a leak somewhere. It’s important to fix the leak as soon as possible before it can cause any damage to the unit. Some ways you can tell if you have a leak include a higher electric bill, ice on your refrigerant lines, a hissing or bubbling noise coming from the unit and a lack of cool air circulating throughout the house.
Comfort Control offers expert AC repair services backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you have any questions about our AC services, contact us today.
The Real Dangers of Ignoring a Leak (For Your AC & Wallet)
Ignoring the signs of low refrigerant is a gamble that can lead to severe and expensive consequences.
- Inefficient Cooling and Sky-High Energy Costs: First and foremost, you'll be paying more for less comfort. The system will run constantly without properly cooling your home, wasting a significant amount of electricity and driving up your utility bills.
- Catastrophic Compressor Failure: This is the most critical danger. The compressor is the heart and the most expensive component of your air conditioner. It relies on the correct amount of refrigerant to maintain proper pressure and stay cool. A leak causes the compressor to overheat and strain, which can lead to it burning out completely. A failed compressor is such an expensive repair that it often makes more sense to replace the entire system.
The "Topping Off" Myth: Why Simply Adding Refrigerant Is Not a Fix
You may encounter a technician who offers to simply "top off" your refrigerant. An honest and professional HVAC technician will never recommend this as a standalone solution. Here’s why:
- It's a Temporary Fix: Without repairing the leak, any new refrigerant added to the system will simply leak out again, wasting your money and putting you right back where you started.
- It's Environmentally Irresponsible: Releasing old refrigerant into the atmosphere is harmful and regulated by the EPA.
- It Ignores the Real Problem: The underlying leak will continue to put stress on your AC's components, leading to the risk of compressor failure.
The only correct and lasting solution is to have a professional perform a leak detection service to find the source of the problem and properly repair it before recharging the system.
Your Local AC Repair & Leak Detection Experts in Asheville
If you noticed any of these signs this past summer, from a lack of cool air to ice buildup on your coils, don't wait for a complete breakdown next spring. For expert AC repair and professional leak detection services in Fletcher, Asheville, and across Western North Carolina, trust the certified team at Comfort Central. Contact us today to schedule your service.