Signs and Dangers of Refrigerant Leaks: What You Should Know

An HVAC unit is an important device to have at home because it helps keep you comfortable even with the ever-changing outdoor temperatures. One of the air conditioning most overlooked but essential parts for its proper functioning is the refrigerant. This is a compound found in a gaseous or fluid state that provides air conditioning or refrigeration when it absorbs heat from the environment.

You need to understand that the loss of refrigerant can lead to operational issues to your unit. This guide explores in detail the dangers and signs of refrigerant leaks.

1. Frozen Evaporator Coils

One of the tell-tale signs of a possible freon leak is ice build-up on the evaporator coils or copper lines. When the refrigerant level circulating through the coil isn’t enough, it hardly absorbs heat, leading to condensation on the coils. If you ever suspect that you might have a refrigerant leak, the first place to check is your evaporator coil at the back of your AC that leads directly to your home.

If you notice that the coil is cold and has physical signs of frost, you should immediately turn off your AC. This way, your coil will have enough time to thaw as you wait for a licensed air conditioning expert from Air Conditioning Repair Denver CO to check your system.

2. Unexplained Illness

Breathing in refrigerant for a prolonged time can pose serious health risks. Some of the common symptoms of prolonged exposure include fainting, headaches, and nausea. Freon can also cause serious health concerns for individuals with a history of heart issues, including arrhythmia and palpitations.

That being said, if you feel unwell and suspect it could be a refrigerant leak, you should have your air conditioning unit checked.

3. Pay Attention to Hissing Sounds from Your Unit

Besides regular vision inspection on your AC unit, it’s crucial that you also perform an auditory inspection. If you notice gurgling or hissing sounds, the chances are that your unit has a refrigerant leak. Whenever you’re undertaking an auditory assessment, you need to ensure that your house is quiet.

4. The Loss of Cooling Power

The primary role of a refrigerant is to absorb heat from your home before releasing it outside. So, whenever you notice that your house isn’t maintaining its temperature, it’s probably time you should consider the best refrigerant leak detector option. You should realize if the temperature levels are not getting low, the refrigerant is not working at its optimum. Also, if your home takes too long to cool down, it’s a sign of decreased cooling power, indicating that your refrigerant component may be compromised somehow.

5. High Electric Bills

A high electric bill is also a sign that you’ve got a refrigerant leak. Low levels of Freon means that you’ll have to wait longer before your home can reach optimum temperature on the thermostat. In the process, your air conditioning unit will be using more energy, which results in more expensive energy bills.

It’s always advisable that you keep track of your yearly electric bills, if you ever notice a sudden spike, then you should follow up and inspect your air conditioning unit for leaks.

Refrigerant leaks can mess up air quality around your home and even lead to high energy bills. If you’re to handle concerns resulting from freon leaks effectively, this guide has shared a few critical tips worth considering.

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