Refrigerant is a chemical blend—commonly found in either a fluid or gaseous state—used in the refrigeration cycle of an air conditioner or heat pump. It readily soaks up heat from the environment and can provide cooling with the aid of other components such as evaporators and compressors. Leaking refrigerant from an air conditioner is no doubt one of the most alarming HVAC issues a homeowner can face, and will press them to call and schedule an “air conditioning repair near me”. In this article, reputable technicians at Albert Air Inc. discuss how refrigerant works, different types of refrigerants and what can happen when an air conditioner has a low refrigerant charge.
Refrigerants play an instrumental role in air conditioning, freezing and refrigeration technologies. Air conditioning systems hold the compound inside copper coils. As the refrigerant absorbs heat from the indoor air, it transforms from a low-pressure gas to a high-pressure liquid. Components of the air conditioner send the refrigerant to the exterior, where a fan puffs hot air over the coils and releases it to the outdoors. Afterward, the compound cools down and transitions back into a low-pressure gas. A separate fan located inside the house blows over the cool coils to disperse the resulting chilly air throughout the interior. Then the cycle repeats itself.
The most commonly-used refrigerants in air conditioning systems over the years include:
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), including R12: It’s been discovered that these refrigerants contribute to the greenhouse effect, a process that warms the Earth’s surface. In 1994, the production of new stock came to an end.
Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), including R22: While these refrigerants are slightly less damaging to the ozone than R12, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) still mandated a phase-out as an outcome of the Clean Air Act of 2010. The U.S. government placed restrictions on R22 and issued a requirement that it had to be eliminated from use in cooling systems by 2020.
Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), including R410A and R134. With no chlorine in the mixture, this substance is considered safer for the environment and is now being used in place of R22, according to HVAC repair companies. Naturally, air conditioners that run on R410A are known to be more energy-efficient, offer better air quality, improve comfort and increase reliability.
A low level of refrigerant is normally the result of leaks within the air conditioning system, which usually originate from a fitting, faulty valve or the evaporator coil itself. Since the chemical blend typically evaporates as it leaks out, any dripping will hardly be noticeable. Instead, the first indication of the loss of refrigerant you’ll probably notice is the presence of frost or ice on the indoor coil.
Frozen evaporator coil. One of the top telltale signs that your air conditioner has sustained a refrigerant leak is a frozen evaporator coil. It may seem odd that losing refrigerant will cause icing or the presence of frost on an air conditioner—a cooling unit—but it definitely warrants attention. When the refrigerant charge is too low, it creates a low-pressure environment within the refrigerant lines, causing the external temperature of the evaporator coil to drop below freezing. When it fails to warm up again, the remaining refrigerant will stay unreasonably cold and moisture will freeze along the coil.
When you see frost on the evaporator coil, turn your air conditioner off immediately and give the coil some time to thaw out. Don’t bother scraping off the ice, as this may do more harm than good. Since recharging the refrigerant requires special tools and know-how, your local HVAC repair technician is best equipped to do the task.
Broken compressor. A broken compressor as a result of a low refrigerant level is what will eventually bring an air conditioning system to a halt. The compressor, often referred to as the heart of the air conditioner, is responsible for raising the temperature and pressure of the vapor refrigerant that escapes the evaporator coil. This is to create the pressure difference needed to convert the refrigerant into a hot gas that will circulate throughout the system. It’s important to understand that the compressor is designed for a specific charge. If there’s not enough refrigerant, the compressor will overheat and burn out.
When your compressor fails, it’s usually better to replace the entire cooling system. Replacing the broken compressor alone is quite expensive, and pairing an old, used evaporator unit with a brand-new compressor or condenser can lead to long-term operational problems.
Reduced cooling. How can you tell when an air conditioner is low on refrigerant? An air conditioning service provider says that perhaps the most easily observed hint is a drop in its cooling ability. When the refrigerant level is too low, the air conditioner won’t be able to absorb enough heat through the indoor coil each cycle, leading to an obvious cooling problem inside the house. In more severe cases, the unit won’t be able to produce any cold air at all, potentially causing warm air to blow from the supply vents instead.
An air conditioner is useless if it can’t generate cold air. If you believe that you have a cooling issue due to a refrigerant leak within your system, contact an HVAC technician as soon as possible.
Increased indoor humidity. While air conditioners do help remove humidity from the air, their main function isn’t dehumidification. For homeowners who want precise humidity control, a whole-house dehumidifier is the best option. However, an air conditioner is still capable of removing excess humidity from indoor air to create a pleasant, comfortable environment. What the air conditioner does is draw moisture from the air as the unit evaporates cold refrigerant in the evaporator coil. When there’s a reduced refrigerant charge, the humidity level in the house will naturally increase. High levels of humidity can cause all sorts of health risks, so it’s best to schedule regular air conditioning service visits to prevent them.
High energy bills. If you haven’t made any significant changes to your home’s temperature settings but your energy bills are still skyrocketing, you may have a refrigerant leak. As previously mentioned, if there’s not enough refrigerant in your air conditioning system, it won’t be able to get rid of as much heat each cooling cycle. This means your unit will have to operate longer and harder in order to sufficiently cool your home. A longer runtime directly translates to increased energy consumption and therefore greater costs.
Noisy operation. Most times, a hissing or bubbling sound coming from the outdoor air conditioning unit or condenser is an indication that there’s a refrigerant leak. If you hear hissing, this usually means the compound is escaping in its gaseous state. If you hear bubbling, on the other hand, the compound is probably leaking in its liquid state.
No one wants noisy disturbances at home. So, if your condenser is producing unusual, unnecessary sounds, you should call an HVAC expert as soon as possible.
Breathe new life into your home with the help of a premier heating and air conditioning company, Albert Air Inc. Our certified technicians are committed to delivering the comfort and efficiency that every home needs. Whether you need a furnace installation or are looking for “air conditioning repairs near me”, you can count on us to provide energy-efficient products and personalized service. Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with us today! Call (714) 248-0238 or fill out our convenient online form.