Refrigerant, also known as Freon, is the lifeblood of your air conditioning system. If your AC unit is low on it, you’ll need to schedule a service call. Here are four indications that your air conditioner needs refrigerant.
1. Your energy bills have increased
If you notice your energy bills are higher than usual, it may be a sign you have a Freon leak. An AC unit with a leak will work harder and use more energy to cool the air inside your home. This is because the unit’s evaporator can’t adequately remove heat from the indoor air.
Additionally, air conditioning units will shut off if the indoor air reaches the desired temperature. If the internal air never reaches that temperature, the unit won’t stop running, resulting in high energy bills.
2. You notice warm air blowing out the vents
You definitely have a problem if your AC unit is pushing warm air out of your vents. First, check that you’ve set your thermostat correctly and your filters are clean. If these aren’t the issue, then you may have a refrigerant leak that requires attention.
3. You hear hissing and bubbling sounds
A hissing and bubbling noise may mean refrigerant is escaping from your AC unit. If the sound is brief, it could indicate that the safety valve is letting excess Freon escape, which is usually no cause for alarm.
If the noise lasts for a long time, however, then chances are you have a leak. Hissing is likely to mean Freon is escaping from a hole or crack in gas form, while bubbling is the sound it makes in liquid form. Shut off your unit immediately to avoid breathing in the gas. Call a professional to inspect and repair your unit.
4. You see frost or ice on the unit
A leak will cause the temperature of the Freon to drop to below freezing, and you may notice ice on the copper tubing or evaporator coils. This can be difficult to see in a multi-split ductless air conditioning unit, but you may notice water dripping from the vent as the ice inside melts.
If you do see ice, turn off your air conditioner but leave the fan on to help it thaw, and call a professional to inspect the unit.
Air conditioning repair and service in Calgary
If your AC unit needs to be repaired, the expert technicians at Harmony Heating & Cooling can help. We’re proud to provide air conditioning inspection and repair services. We also offer installation services and sell a range of rooftop AC units and ductless mini-splits. For a free no-obligation quote, contact us today.