AC Repair: Signs Of A Refrigerant Leak And How To Prevent It | Irving, TX
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Summer temperatures in Irving, TX, can go as high as 102 degrees Fahrenheit, and while it only lasts for a couple of months, higher temperatures do take a toll on your cooling system. You must know how to spot problems and take care of your AC to avoid AC repair.
One of the most important components of your system is the refrigerant or the cooling fluid. Without it, your home will be uncomfortable and hot. In this article, we’ll talk about what you need to know about refrigerants, signs of a refrigerant leak, and how to prevent issues with your air conditioners.
What Is a Refrigerant and How Does it Work?
The air conditioner has a component called a refrigerant responsible for removing the hot air inside your living spaces. It’s a fluid that flows between the indoor unit and the outdoor unit of your air conditioner. The refrigerant absorbs the heat inside and then takes it outside, where it’s released.
As your air conditioner runs, the refrigerant fluid flows back to your AC, picks up hot air again, and then brings it outside. When there is an inefficient flow of refrigerant levels, your AC will have a problem cooling your home. The result is that it will work harder, consuming more energy and giving you higher utility bills every month. To avoid calling a technician in Irving, TX, for an AC repair, make sure that there are no refrigerant issues with your cooling system.
Why You Need to Check the Refrigerant Levels
The refrigerant is a crucial component as it keeps your home cool in the summer. A certified technician can check for the refrigerant levels during regular maintenance and make sure it doesn’t drop too low. Otherwise, it can negatively affect the performance of your air conditioner.
You’ll know that the refrigerant levels may be too low, or there is a refrigerant leak when you see the signs below. As soon as you notice the symptoms, make sure that you contact a certified technician right away for an AC repair.
Signs of a Refrigerant Leak:
Higher Utility Bills
A refrigerant can cause your cooling system to work harder. So when your utility bills are suddenly higher than usual, there might be a refrigerant leak. You need to get help right away to avoid further problems with your air conditioner. Contact a technician for AC repair. A certified technician can thoroughly inspect your system, do some tests to help them determine if there is indeed a refrigerant leak. Don’t worry; our technicians can help you permanently resolve the issue.
A rule of thumb: As soon as you suspect there might be a problem with your AC, get a technician right away for AC repair. Otherwise, a small problem can become a major emergency that may cost you a fortune in repairs and replacements.
Increased Humidity
It can be very uncomfortable when there is a high level of humidity in your home. A fully functioning and efficient air conditioner should only take a few minutes to dehumidify your home. If it takes longer or when the humidity doesn’t improve at all, there may be a problem with your air conditioner. Consider calling a technician for AC repair. Our certified and highly experienced technicians can thoroughly inspect your system, diagnose the problem, and then help you permanently resolve it.
AC Takes Longer to Cool
When there is a refrigerant leak, your air conditioner will take a long time to cool. Some of them may never reach the desired temperature. In addition, your air conditioner will keep working harder, consuming more energy and giving you higher utility bills every month. Remember, the refrigerant’s job is to absorb the heat inside your home and then take it outside. If it doesn’t have enough, then it will take a lot longer to cool your home. Contact a technician in Irving, TX, for AC repair. A certified technician can inspect the refrigerant levels to help then determine if there is a leak. Make sure that you don’t postpone repairs, or you might end up completely replacing your air conditioner.
Frozen Evaporator Coil
It’s essential to get regular inspections so that a technician can check the evaporator coils for any ice formations. When the refrigerant levels aren’t enough, the coils will not be able to absorb the heat. The result is a frozen evaporator coil. You’ll know that the evaporator coil is freezing as the ice begins to melt when the AC stops running. Water will start to drip on the floor. You need to get help immediately as this problem could lead to a system breakdown or a more expensive repair. Call a technician right away for AC repair. Our technicians can inspect the system and find out the root cause of the problem. Call us, and we’ll make sure to resolve the issue on the same day.
Tiny bubbles in the evaporator coils could also mean there is a refrigerant leak. Only a licensed technician would diagnose the problem, which is why you need to call for AC repair immediately.
Hissing Sounds
When the refrigerant leaks, that’s usually due to cracks in the evaporator coils. A hissing sound coming from the unit is usually one of the signs. You’ll usually hear a gurgling sound when there is a large leak. The next thing you need to do is contact a technician in Irving, TX, for AC repair. A licensed technician can perform some tests to help him determine the problem and then resolve the issue.
Please don’t ignore sounds you hear from your air conditioner, as that could indicate another problem lurking. When you hear unusual sounds coming from your unit, we suggest that you call a technician right away for AC repair.
Insufficient Cool Air
When there is a refrigerant leak, your AC won’t be able to cool your home fully. That means it can’t produce sufficient cool air. Call a technician in Irving, TX, right away for AC repair. Please never postpone any AC repairs if you want to avoid further problems with your air conditioner. Get help immediately to prevent costly AC repairs and replacements.
What Are the Causes of a Refrigerant Leak?
Refrigerant leaks are a serious problem as they can leave you feeling hot and uncomfortable in your homes. Below are the common causes of refrigerant leaks:
Weakened Connection and Joints – Over time, the connections in the AC may become eroded and thin out. This can lead to a refrigerant leak. A certified technician can check for these during a regular inspection of your unit. So make sure that you schedule an AC tune-up to avoid costly AC repairs.
Corrosion – The copper tube walls found inside the coils can also become eroded over time. This can cause cracks and holes, leading to a refrigerant leak. You need to call a technician immediately as soon as you notice the signs to avoid costly AC replacements and repairs.
Improper Installation – Do you know that incorrect installation of your AC could also lead to a refrigerant leak. That’s because an inexperienced technician may not fit the parts or the connections, allowing the gas or liquid to escape. If you’re planning to get a new air conditioner, we highly recommend that you only hire certified technicians in Irving, TX, for professional installation of your system. Hiring licensed technicians also ensures that your warranty stays intact.
An inexperienced handyperson may offer his services at a lower price, but the problem is that he won’t be able to guarantee high-quality work. When he makes a mistake, you will have to call for another technician for repair. Suppose you have a new unit, but the installer isn’t a licensed technician, and then you decide to call the manufacturer for the free repairs included in your warranty. Don’t be surprised if the manufacturer doesn’t honor the warranty because you failed to hire the right person for the job. Never cut corners when it comes to your air conditioner. Always hire a licensed technician for installation or AC repair. Poor installation can also lead to other problems, such as a refrigerant leak.
Wear and Tear – Frequent use of your AC or the age of your AC can also lead to a refrigerant leak. When you have an old system, and you keep calling for repairs, consider asking the technician if it’s better to get a replacement instead. Repairs can add up — it will be more cost-effective to get a new one instead of paying for repairs.
Factory Defects – While this is unlikely as manufacturers always test their systems before selling them in the market, they still can happen. Missing components or damaged parts can also lead to a refrigerant leak. Contact a technician right away so they can address the problem. Check for the “refrigerant leak” signs above and then call for help at the soonest possible time.
Preventing Refrigerant Leaks
Air conditioning units heavily rely on refrigerants to provide enough cool air to a home. So when there’s a refrigerant leak, you’ll need to call a technician for an AC repair. Otherwise, your home will be hot in the summer. While calling a technician can repair your AC, it’s always best to prevent the problem and avoid costly AC repairs. Below are tips to prevent refrigerant leaks:
Schedule Regular AC Inspections
One of the most effective ways to prevent refrigerant leaks and other problems with your air conditioning unit is by calling a technician for regular maintenance. A professional technician can check all the components of your AC and look for signs of any problem that may be lurking. They will resolve this problem to ensure that your air conditioner runs efficiently and make you cooler in the summer. Please never neglect this if you want to also extend the lifespan of your system and avoid having to call a technician for an emergency repair.
Maintain Proper Refrigerant Levels
Not having enough refrigerant can damage your unit eventually, leading to expensive repairs and replacements. However, maintaining proper refrigerant levels should only be done by a certified professional. Therefore, make sure that you schedule that tune-up at least a month before summer to ensure you are fully prepared when the temperature starts rising. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you need help. Our technicians are certified and always ready to assist.
Call a Reliable HVAC Company for Installations, Repairs, and Maintenance
Apart from purchasing a high-quality and energy-efficient air conditioner for your home, it always helps to have a trusted AC company that you can always call when you are having issues with your air conditioner. Choose a contractor that only employs licensed technicians. Make sure that they are also insured as it can be dangerous to repair an AC. When a technician has insurance, you have peace of mind as you won’t have to pay for medical expenses if they get injured. Most importantly, ensure that the company is well established and can guarantee 100 percent satisfaction. They should also be willing to go the extra mile to resolve the problem.
Contact One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Dallas
Whether you’re looking for AC repair, installation, or maintenance, please reach out to One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Dallas. We are the leading and trusted HVAC company to provide AC services in Irving, TX. Our technicians are licensed and work incredibly hard to delight customers. Our team of professionals is always ready to assist — you can also call us anytime, especially when you have an emergency because we operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
In addition to AC services, we also offer heating services to homeowners and businesses. Contact us today for an appointment.