Is your home uncomfortably hot and humid even though your Air Conditioner is running around the clock? Are your utility bills significantly higher this year than the last? Do you notice a hissing or bubbling sound when you stand next to your unit? You may have a refrigerant leak.
But what is refrigerant anyway? Refrigerant is a gas or liquid that fills the copper coils of your air conditioner. Essentially refrigerant transitions from a gas to a liquid state as it warms up or cools down and the result combined with multiple fans and blowers disperse heat from the home and deliver cool, dry air back inside. Without refrigerant, there would be no air conditioning, refrigeration or freezing technology.
What caused the leak? Age, typical wear and tear, or an incorrectly installed systems are all causes of refrigerant leaks.
Age: Over time, the copper coil lines will structurally weaken. Since the refrigerant is under pressure at all times, small pinhole leaks are likely to occur with age. Similar to the Dutch boy with his finger in the damn, our licensed technicians can repair these small holes, but a full unit replacement is likely in your future.
Typical Use: The copper coil lines are under pressure at all times. Even the slightest increase in pressure for a number of reasons could cause a leak. Typically these can be patched by our certified technicians and you can get some extra life out of your unit.
Incorrectly Installed Systems: Replacing refrigerant is a serious matter and should be left to the certified professionals. If the wrong amount of refrigerant under the wrong pressure is installed, it could lead to not only leaks, but a laundry list of problems for your HVAC unit.
What to do if you suspect a leak? Call Optimum Climates immediately. In addition to the discomfort inside your home, refrigerant in its gaseous state is toxic and should not be inhaled. When in doubt, call Optimum Climates to give your HVAC system a full check up to avoid a hot and humid disaster