An air conditioner refrigerant leak affects the performance of your system and puts your family at risk. Call Ed Rike Plumbing, Heating & Air in the Dayton area for expert AC refrigerant leak repair. We also proudly serve Preble, Montgomery, Darke, Miami, Clark, and Greene Counties.
While rare, refrigerant leaks do occur, and when they happen, they can cause numerous problems for your AC system and your health. So, it’s essential that you have a reliable AC service company to call on when your system’s refrigerant leaks out. When you have a refrigerant leak or any other issue with your air conditioner, call Ed Rike Plumbing, Heating & Air in the Dayton, OH, area.
Ed Rike Plumbing, Heating & Air is available for 24/7 emergency repair.
What is Air Conditioner Refrigerant?
Refrigerant is a chemical that makes it possible for the air conditioner to cool your home. It works by absorbing heat from the air and changing it from a low-pressure gas and into a high-pressure liquid.
Components in your air conditioner send the liquid to the outside unit, where a fan blows hot air over the coils to take out the heat. The refrigerant then turns back into a low-pressure gas, and a fan inside the house blows air over the coil to make it cold before going back into your house.
Is an AC Refrigerant Leak Dangerous?
Often, homeowners fail to notice refrigerant leaks because the gas escapes a ruptured line too quickly. However, if you’re close to a line that is leaking, you could suffer several ill-effects such as shortness of breath, dizziness, and difficulty concentrating. If the refrigerant comes into contact with your skin, you may suffer rashes or chemical burns.
Also, since pets don’t know to stay away from refrigerant, it poses even more danger to our furry friends.
While most of these health risks aren’t life-threatening, it’s advised that you get a refrigerant leak fixed as quickly as possible to keep your AC running properly and to protect your household. Here are signs that you have a leak:
- The air doesn’t get as cold as it did before.
- The humidity won’t go away.
- The AC’s evaporator coils are frozen.
If you notice any of the above signs or have any of the symptoms of a refrigerant leak, call a professional AC repair company like Ed Rike Plumbing, Heating & Air for help.
If your air conditioner isn’t giving you the cold air to keep you comfortable, it could be an issue with the evaporator coil. Check out our evaporator coil services to see if we can help.
What Causes Refrigerant Leaks?
It’s a misconception that Freon or refrigerant gets used up by the system through everyday use, but that isn’t what’s going on.
Freon loss is most often caused by tiny holes in the line that allow the gas-liquid to escape. Other common causes of refrigerant leaks are:
- Poorly installed systems
- Defective manufacturing
- Corroded metal refrigerant tubing
Note that it’s essential that you deal with refrigerant leaks as soon as you detect them because they get worse over time. Think of an inflatable pool where a small hole neglected turns into a significant problem down the road.