People often misunderstand the role of refrigerant (a.k.a. b Freonb ) in an air conditioner. Refrigerant is not a type of fuel: an AC doesnbt use up its refrigerant as it runs the way that a car uses gasoline or a cell phone drains its electrical charge. Refrigerant remains at the same level in an air conditioner as it moves between liquid and gaseous states, absorbing heating through evaporation and then releasing it through condensation.
However, an AC can lose refrigerant due to leaksb& and when this happens it will cause severe problems for the system:
Loss in cooling power
An air conditioner is designed to operate with a specific amount of refrigerant, which is known as the systembs charge. If this level drops, it impairs the systembs ability to effectively remove heat from the indoors and release it outdoors.
Icing along the indoor coil
A noticeable problem that low refrigerant creates is icing along the indoor evaporator coil. This seems counterintuitive at first: how will less refrigerant make it colder along the coil? Whatbs happening is that the reduced refrigerant level is making it harder for the coil to absorb sufficient heat to warm up the cold refrigerant. The refrigerant remains too cold, causing moisture to freeze along the coilbs surfaceband this will only further impair the ACbs cooling performance. It will also lead to the air conditioner running continually, trying to make up for the deficit in cooling.
There are many signs your air conditioner could be low on refrigerant. Some of these include:
- Vents are not blowing cold air.
- Higher electric bill.
- Ice on refrigerant lines.
- Hissing/bubbling noise coming from the unit.
At Comfort Central, we’re dedicated to making sure that you have cool air right when you need it and are satisfied with our work. We offer repair services for AC units as well as maintenance to help prevent any future leaks down the line. For more information on our AC repair services, contact us today.
When your AC’s refrigerant is low, it causes a lot of problems for your system. The coils can freeze over which causes the unit to fail to cool the house properly, wasting energy and raising your electric bills. Leaving refrigerant levels low can also cause damage to the compressor which can be costly to replace. If you suspect your AC may be low on refrigerant, you should have it checked by a professional as soon as possible.
At Comfort Control, we are committed to keeping your home cool and comfortable. We offer expert AC repair services as well as maintenance services that help to spot problems like this before they cause any damage to your system. To learn more about our AC services, contact us today.
Freon does not get used up by your AC unit. Therefore, if you have low refrigerant, it means that your air conditioner has a leak somewhere. It’s important to fix the leak as soon as possible before it can cause any damage to the unit. Some ways you can tell if you have a leak include a higher electric bill, ice on your refrigerant lines, a hissing or bubbling noise coming from the unit and a lack of cool air circulating throughout the house.
Comfort Control offers expert AC repair services backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you have any questions about our AC services, contact us today.
Damage to the compressor
This is the biggest problem that loss of refrigerant can create. The change in pressure because of the drop in refrigerant can cause serious damage to the compressor, eventually leading to it burning out. A failed compressor usually must be replaced, which is an expensive repair.
When you notice any warning sign of a loss of refrigerantbsuch as a drop in cooling, ice along the coils, a continually running AC, or hissing soundsbcontact HVAC repair technicians immediately!
When you need effective air conditioning repairs in Fletcher, NC, call on Comfort Central, Inc. We serve Western North Carolinabs Heating, Cooling and Indoor Environmental Needs.