Let’s face it, air conditioning is always on our minds because it just doesn’t get and stay that cold here in Southern California. We tend to be much more concerned about our air conditioners than our heaters. And one common problem with AC is that the refrigerant can leak out.
But just because it’s common, does not mean that it’s something you need to accept and put up with. Recharging refrigerant and fixing leaks is something we do frequently. So if you need AC repair in Los Angeles, give him a call. In the meantime, you can learn about the common signs of a refrigerant leak in residential ACs.
Understanding Refrigerant Leaks
Freon and refrigerant are often used interchangeably to mean the same thing. It’s important to know that Freon is actually a specific brand of refrigerant. All Freon is refrigerant, but not all refrigerant is Freon.
Freon is a substance inside your air conditioner that is constantly under extreme pressure so that it can help cool your home. The refrigerant cycles through its lines and moves from a liquid to a gas form to help cool the air that will blow into your home. Then the gas loops back around, turns back into a liquid, and recharges again.
Refrigerant should last for nearly the entire life of your air conditioner. But if there is a leak in one of the refrigerant lines, it’s possible that your refrigerant needs to be recharged and the line repaired to prevent future leaks. Keep in mind that refrigerant cannot be refilled, but is recharged instead. If someone ever tries to charge you for refilling refrigerant, you should be wary of this service.
Signs of Freon Leaks
If you notice that your air conditioner is not keeping up with your temperature expectations, you may have a refrigerant leak. Without enough refrigerant charge to cool the air, your air conditioner may blow out air that feels barely cool or lukewarm.
This can lead your air conditioner to run for longer as it struggles to call your home. If you notice that your cooling cycles are going longer than normal, we definitely want to get your refrigerant lines checked. Allowing your AC to overwork can lead to higher energy bills and can also put additional wear and tear on your unit.
The refrigerant line cools your home by working to remove heat from the air as it circulates through. Along with the heat, it also removes some of the humidity in your air. If your home feels more humid the normal, that’s definitely a sign that you have a leak.
You may also hear a hissing, whistling, or gurgling sound if there is a Freon leak. If the leak happens in the area of the line where your refrigerant is in liquid form, a leak will sound like bubbling or gurgling. If the leak happens in an area of the line where the refrigerant is in its gas form, it will sound like whistling or hissing.
JMS Air Conditioning and Heating has your back. Call us today to schedule an appointment for refrigerant leaks in Glendale, CA!
