As much as we are starting to love the warmer weather that is coming our way, it also means that we are going to need to turn on our AC systems soon. It is important that your AC system is up for the task of cooling your home this summer. One of the most common problems with an older AC system is a refrigerant leak. When you experience a refrigerant leak, it is important that you have professionals take a look to get it fixed as soon as possible. Ambient Heating & Air Conditioning is here to talk about some of the signs you will notice if you have a refrigerant leak.

Understanding Refrigerant

It is important that homeowners understand how the refrigerant in your AC unit works. First of all, this is what works to cool the air in your home. It is also stored in a closed system. If you have low refrigerant issues, it is because there is a leak somewhere since the refrigerant is simply cycled through the system over and over again. You should never have to refill refrigerant because the levels shouldn’t ever get low without a leak. Here are some of the signs you may notice if you have a unit that is leaking refrigerant:
– Frozen Evaporator Coils: You shouldn’t ever see ice buildup on the evaporator coils or any other part of your AC unit. This is one of the most obvious signs of a refrigerant leak. Ice develops on your coils when there isn’t enough refrigerant flowing through them. When these coils are frozen, it is impossible for your system to cool the air in your home. You will definitely feel uncomfortable and hot.
– Humidity Issues: Many people don’t realize that their AC is removing humidity from the air as it cools your home. When you start to have AC issues, including refrigerant leaks, you can start to feel more humidity in the air. With low refrigerant levels, your AC isn’t able to remove that moisture from your air effectively. This is another way that you may be feeling uncomfortable.
– Leaking: If you have ice building up on your coils, it will melt when the AC is turned off. This water that was frozen and is now melting will leak all over the system and onto the floor. The melting ice can cause problems for your system if it leaks onto electrical components.
– Hissing Sound: The closed system with refrigerant in it holds that refrigerant in the coils under high pressure. Often, when there is a leak, you can hear a hissing sound, similar to when you have a leak in a tire.

Central Air Conditioner Maintenance, Replacement, Emergency Repairs & More in Springfield, Granby, Holyoke, South Hadley, Monson, Chicopee & Agawam, Massachusetts

If you have noticed any signs of a refrigerant leak or are experiencing any other problems with your AC system, you can turn to Ambient Heating & Air Conditioning to help you get it back up and running. Call us today!