Signs You Have a Refrigerant Leak
If your cooling system is losing refrigerant, it’s going to struggle to operate as it should. You may have a leak if you notice any of the following symptoms. Keep in mind though some of these are signs of other air conditioning problems. So whatever the cause, it’s best to call in a pro to have your AC inspected.
- The air from the vents isn’t as cool as you think it should be. Be sure to pay attention to whether the problem is that the air isn’t cool enough or it isn’t powerful enough. While refrigerant is essential for your air conditioner to actually cool your living space, you could possibly have low airflow instead. Low airflow has a few potential causes, one of which being a clogged air filter. Try changing or cleaning out your air filter and if this doesn’t resolve the issue, give us a call!
- The system is short-cycling. Not sure what short-cycling is? It’s the process in which your air conditioner turns on and off rapidly. If this is happening shortly after AC installation, then unfortunately it means your system is too large for your home and you’ll need to talk to the professionals who installed it, or speak to our team about a replacement. Otherwise, it may be the sign of a refrigerant leak that needs to be located and repaired.
- Your energy bills have spiked without any other explanation. Not using your air conditioner any more this year than you did last year? But you notice that your energy bills have spiked? This is almost always a sign that something is causing your air conditioner to work less efficiently than it used to. The cause could certainly be a refrigerant leak. When refrigerant is leaking and your air conditioner cannot actually cool the air, it will run longer to try to compensate, which uses up more energy than necessary.
These are just a few of the signs that you may have a refrigerant leak. If you notice a hissing or bubbling sound, or see ice forming anywhere on your air conditioner, these are also potential signs. Give us a call as soon as you can!