Does your air conditioner not work properly?
Does it no longer cool when you turn it on?
Are you smelling chemicals coming from the vents of your air conditioner?
Is your energy cost increasing?
If you answer, yes, there probably is a freon leak in your home.
Before anything else, it is important to understand that most people interchangeably use the word Freon and refrigerant.
Freon is a refrigerant brand while a refrigerant is a component of anair conditioning system.
In this article
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What is AC Refrigerant?
The air conditioning in your home keeps you comfortable during the hot summer days.
The refrigerant is an essential component of your air conditioning system.
It is responsible for producing the cool air that circulates around your room.
This substance can quickly and effectively phase change (solid, liquid, and gas).
Refrigerants come with unique properties that allow them to replace heat in a room to cooler temperatures.
This is how your air conditioner works.
Your air conditioner is composed of three parts: the compressor, condenser, and evaporator.
The refrigerant has an important role in all these parts.
The refrigerant starts as a highly-pressurized gas in the compressor absorbing heat in the room.
The refrigerant then goes back to the evaporator and transforms again to gas.
It also cools the coils and with the aid of a fan, blows cool air to your room.
Refrigerants are crucial to the proper functioning of air conditioners,refrigerators, and all freezing equipment.
Albeit, its importance, refrigerants are one of the most overlooked components in air conditioning units.
Freon is an R-22 refrigerant.
Most air conditioners manufactured before 2003 use freon as a cooling agent.
Freon is a colorless gas that creates cool air emitted by your air conditioner.
Freon gets recirculated so it gets to be reused.
There should not never be an instance when it gets depleted and will need a refill.
That is of course if your air conditioning is running effectively.
Only a freon leak will lower the freon level of your air conditioner, and thus necessitate a refill.
Why AC Refrigerant Leaks are Dangerous?
The refrigerant of your air conditioning system is constantly recycled to create cool air in a room.
A refrigerant leak seldom occurs, but when it does, it can cause refrigerant poisoning.
Even a small amount of exposure to refrigerants can cause these symptoms.
It can also cause organ damage and sudden death.
Keeping your family safe means learning the signs and symptoms of arefrigerant leakand knowing what to do about it.
No refrigerant should be allowed to enter the airflow inside your home.
A leak reduces the level of freon in your AC.
A freon leak can cause many performance and efficiency issues in your air conditioning system.
Not to mention the harmful effects a freon leak can cause to you and your familys health.
Here are the symptoms you better watch out for to know your air conditioner is having a freon leak.
Reduced Cooling Power
A freon leak will deplete the freon levels of your AC.
This will lead to your AC taking a long time to cool your room or home.
When this happens, there is a tendency for you to adjust the thermostat.
No matter how much you adjust the thermostat setting it may still be hot in your home.
This is so because the freon continues to leak into the hole or crack in its compartment.
Conversely, it may also take longer for your air conditioner to cool down your home.
Check the air coming out of your vents (registers).
Frozen Coils
Frozen coils in the evaporator is a clear indication of a freon leak.
The evaporator coils will not freeze when they are supplied with adequate levels of freon.
The frozen condensation can melt and drip to the floor.
It is best to regularly check the evaporator coil of your AC system.
Your AC should be quiet inside your home.
Sudden Increase in Electric Bill
Low levels of freon will make your electric bill higher than normal.
This is so because your AC will be working double-time to cool your home, often without much luck.
There is also a tendency for you to dial down the thermostat setting to get much cooler air.
Low levels of freon mean a longer time for your AC to reach your set temperature.
This, too, will increase your electric bill.
Causes of Freon Leak
There are many reasons for a freon leak.
Wear and Tear
This is one of the major reasons for the freon leak.
The outside system and assembly joints can rust over time and likewise cause freon to leak.
Corrosion
Your air conditioning system comes with metal components which can corrode over time.
Corrosion can cause these metal components to weaken and make the freon leak.
Factory Defect
There are factory defects that can only be detected when the AC is installed.
Later in time, these defects can cause freon to leak.
Where are Freon Leaks Found?
Freon leaks are typically found in these areas in your AC.
Condenser Coil
Condenser coils have U-bends held together by a tubular metal.
When your AC is running the tubular metal rubs against the copper tubes.
This will also cause holes where the freon can leak.
Evaporator Coil
Capillary tubes are found in the evaporator coil.
These small tubes tend to vibrate when your AC is running.
The vibration can cause the tubes to rub against each other or together.
In the long run, there will be holes in the capillary tubes that will cause freon to leak.
Refrigerant Line Sets
It is normal for refrigerant line sets to leak at flare connections.
This will cause the line sets to leak and freon leaks to occur, too.
What does Leaking Freon Smell Like?
Freon travels and recycles through closed copper coils.
When these coils crack, freon will leak.
Most people say freon has a sweet smell.
Detecting a freon leak can help you find the best solutions at the earliest possible time.
These electronic devices are equipped with freon sensors that will detect the presence of excess gas in your home.
The concentration or exact location of the freon leak will be displayed on the screen of the equipment.
Gas is blown in the AC components and hose pipes.
Pressure bubbles will come out from the location of the freon leak.
This method is used when the leak is huge and visible with the naked eyes.
Liquid Tracers
This method uses fluorescent dyes with the coolant.
Your AC will be made to run.
The dye will settle on spots where there is a freon leak.
The dyes can be removed by cleaning solutions after the detection process.
A portable burner is the easiest way to detect freon leaks.
A low flame burner will not harm the components of your AC.
Set the portable burner to low fire.
The presence of freon leaks will cause the flame to immediately change from blue to bluish-green or green.
This is a slow and unrealizable method, though.
A refrigerant refill may be cheaper than repairs but it will not solve the issue.
When you suspect a refrigerant leak, immediately call an AC professional.
He should be able to pinpoint the exact location of the leak and make the necessary repairs.
These kits are readily available at home depot stores.
These kits typically include a valve, hose, and sealant.
Larger freon leaks will need the expertise of an AC professional.
The damaged component can be soldered to be as good as new.
How much does a Freon Leak Cost to Fix?
The cost to fix a freon leak depends on the size and location of the leak.
Smaller leaks can be repaired and will cost less.
Larger leaks will entail the replacement of some of the components of the AC and will be costlier.
Conclusion
Freon leaks make your room or home uncomfortable.
These leaks can also increase your electricity bill.
More importantly, freon leaks can harm and damage your health as well as that of your family.
