Once I purchased my first home, I realized that I needed to do my part in caring for my home appliances. In addition to reading the user manuals for my kitchen appliances and state-of-the-art plumbing system, I realized that I also needed to do a little research about HVAC. Because I had no experience with HVAC systems, I called out a professional to teach me a thing or two. It was fascinating to talk with him, and I was able to take notes about all kinds of important topics, such as maintenance, troubleshooting, and even shopping for a new system. This blog is all about understanding HVAC guidelines.
Understanding HVAC Guidelines
Four Signs of an Air Conditioning Refrigerant Leak
Marilou Girard
Refrigerant, as its name would suggest, is the gas within your air conditioner that actually works to cool down the air that passes through the system. Without proper levels of refrigerant, your air conditioner will not be able to operate properly and will simply become a glorified fan. Thankfully, there are a number of warning signs associated with a refrigerant leak that you can watch out for to determine when you need to get in touch with an HVAC contractor to patch the leak in your system and fill your refrigerant reserves.
Warmer Air
One of the first signs associated with a refrigerant leak in your air conditioner is a general lack of cooling power. Warmer air that is passing through your system when the temperature is set to be much cooler points to a lack of efficacy in your unit. Keep in mind that air does not necessarily have to be hot to point to a refrigerant leak: air that is not as cold as your system is set to can still point to a refrigerant problem.
Increased Energy Bills
In a similar vein to the previous point, any sort of refrigerant loss will increase your monthly utility bills, since your air conditioner will have to operate for longer periods of time to reach the temperature set on its thermostat. This makes refrigerant repair a smart financial decision, as the added utility costs of an inefficient air conditioner can quickly build up over time.
Odd Noises
Another common sign that your refrigerant is leaking out of your air conditioner, especially in ductless or portable units, is a hissing or gurgling sound coming from your unit while it is working. This is literally the sound of gas escaping through a broken hose or seal. And the louder the sound, the larger the leak. Keep in mind that this sound will not be constant—once your refrigerant has completely leaked out, your system will fall silent but will be unable to cool air properly.
Ice Buildup
Another sign of a leak is if you can spot any sort of ice forming on your air conditioning unit. This is common for the outdoor unit of central air conditioning systems, but it can also happen to ductless and portable units as well. The formation of ice occurs when refrigerant leaks out of the system and freezes humidity in the air around the unit's condenser coils. If you spot this, stop your unit straight away. Ice can cause damage to your unit, which can be more expensive than a simple refrigerant hose replacement and refill.
Contact a company like Baton Rouge Air Conditioning & Heating for more information or assistance.
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