5 Signs You Have a Refrigerant Leak

While the Denver area may be known for its cold winters, it does not remain so cool all summer.

With temperatures often into the 90s, it would be crazy to spend an entire summer here without an efficient and effective air conditioning system.

Your air conditioner’s refrigerant is essential to the performance of your system, as it absorbs heat from the environment and cools your air.

When refrigerant starts to leak from your air conditioner, it can reduce your air conditioner cooling power, increase your energy bills, freeze your evaporator coils, and raise your indoor humidity levels. 

The 5 Main Signs You Have a Refrigerant Leak

While refrigerant leaks have several causes, you don’t have to know what caused the leak to realize you might have one.

By knowing the five main signs of a refrigerant leak, you can take action quickly before the problem spirals out of control. 

1. High Indoor Humidity Levels

A properly functioning air conditioner will remove warm air and dehumidify your home.

When an air conditioner has a refrigerant leak, the air conditioner won’t be able to remove warm air, leading to higher humidity levels in your home.

Besides making your skin feel clammy and causing your home’s atmosphere to feel heavy and warm, high humidity levels can lead to mold growth and health problems. 

2. Poor Cooling Power

Since refrigerant is responsible for absorbing heat and removing it from your home, a leak can significantly impact your air conditioner’s cooling power.

A loss of refrigerant will make it harder for your AC to cool your home, causing it to run longer to reach your desired temperature. 

3. Hissing or Bubbling Sounds From Your Outdoor Unit

One of the biggest causes of refrigerant leaks is cracks in the coils responsible for circulating refrigerant.

If the cracks are minor, your outdoor air conditioner unit will make hissing sounds, while a larger crack will produce bubbling or gurgling sounds.

Any time you notice bubbling or hissing sounds coming from your outdoor unit, you may have a refrigerant leak that you should take action on fast.

4. Increased Energy Bills

Since refrigerant leaks cause your AC to work harder to cool your home, a leak can also raise your electricity bills. 

5. Frozen Evaporator Coils

Frozen evaporator coils are another main sign of a refrigerant leak. If your refrigerant is at the right level, it will pass through your evaporator coils, absorbing heat.

However, when the levels are low, condensation on the coils won’t dissipate and will begin to freeze.

Parker Air Conditioning Service by First String Heating

Contact First String Heating today for a new level of air conditioning service quality. Keeping your family comfortable, healthy, and safe.