As the warmer days of summer approach, homeowners all over are starting up their air conditioners in order to achieve some much-needed cooling. However, if you notice your own system isn’t blowing out cool air as it should, this might be a sign of a refrigerant leak.
Before you start searching the web for “air conditioner repair service providers near me,” it would be useful to familiarize yourself with the usual indicators of this common problem. Here’s what you need to know about refrigerant leaks, as explained by our HVAC specialists at Albert Air.
The first thing you’ll notice when your unit is leaking refrigerant is a marked drop in its cooling power. Refrigerant is the liquid that transfers heat from the inside of your house to the outdoor environment. If your coolant levels are low, the cooling process won’t be as effective. This means your HVAC system will have to consume more power to maintain the same temperature indoors.
Use your hand to feel the air coming out of your registers. With a system that’s leaking refrigerant, the air won’t be as cool as it should be. If this is the case for you, contact an air conditioning service provider for an inspection right away. They’ll be able to tell you if your unit is really losing refrigerant or if it simply needs topped off.
If you’re able to, take a look at the evaporator coils in the outdoor unit of your air conditioner. A refrigerant leak will typically cause these coils to freeze up. Should you see a layer of frost forming on the coils, call a professional right away to catch the problem in its early stages before it becomes worse.
At Albert Air, we’re your leading provider of HVAC repair, installation and maintenance services. Give us a call at (714) 526-6368 or fill out our online form to schedule an inspection and request a free estimate today.