Refrigerant is an important substance in an air conditioning system; it keeps everything running smoothly and efficiently. When it leaks and is left unrepaired, many other problems will arise, such as high energy costs, environmental pollution, and refrigerant poisoning in the worst-case scenario.
That’s why it’s important to know when your A/C is already leaking refrigerant, so you can take necessary actions before it causes more issues.
Common Warning Signs of a Refrigerant Leak in Your Air Conditioning Unit
If you are wondering if your cooling unit is leaking, there are a few warning signs to look out for. This blog will outline five common warning signs that indicate a refrigerant leak in an AC unit. If you see any one of these warning signs, call an air conditioning repair company in McKinney, TX so they can check it out.
Poor A/C Performance
Refrigerant plays a crucial role in the cooling process. It is what absorbs heat from your indoor air, so all you’re left with is cold air. If the refrigerant charge drops below what’s needed due to a leak, your air conditioning unit will struggle to cool your home properly.
Unusually High Energy Bills
If your cooling bills are way out of line with what they were last year and there were no changes in your energy consumption or power supplier rate, a refrigerant leak in the unit may be to blame.
An A/C without enough refrigerant charge will have a hard time cooling your room; hence it will likely use more energy than normal. There may also be other problems, so it’s best to let a professional air conditioning repair technician in McKinney, TX take a look into your unit.
Strange Noises
An air conditioning unit with a refrigerant leak may make a persistent whistling or hissing sound and sometimes a bubbling sound. These sounds, however, can also be an indication of other problems. Either way, a weird noise coming from your A/C is a sign of a problem. It would be best to get a trusted professional air conditioning repair technician in McKinney, TX to diagnose and fix the issue.
Warm Air Coming From the Vents
If the air coming out of the A/C vents is warm for an unusually long time before the system kicks into high-speed mode and begins blowing cool air, it’s likely there’s a refrigerant leak somewhere in the line. A faulty thermal expansion valve can cause this malfunction as well.
Should You Be Concerned?
Yes. Exposure to refrigerants, especially Freon (take note that Freon is a brand of refrigerant and isn’t another term for refrigerant), isn’t just dangerous but lethal. To make things worse, refrigerant is odorless, colorless, and tasteless, so it’s a bit hard to detect.
Fortunately, an air conditioning unit will show signs when the refrigerant is leaking. That’s why it’s best to keep the signs mentioned above in your mind.
If you notice the signs above, it’s crucial to contact a professional immediately. Please do not attempt to handle the cooling chemical without the right tools and knowledge about it. While accidental refrigerant poisoning is rare, it is still better to be safe than sorry.
Also Read: Small refrigerator with ice maker
Hire the Right A/C Company
Not all air conditioning companies are the same. Therefore, you should be cautious and do your research before hiring someone to handle your air conditioning repair need in McKinney, TX. There are a few things you need to look into to guarantee the contractor is legit and dependable. That includes their license, certifications, and insurance. It’s also best if the contractor offers emergency service, so you don’t have to look for a contractor in case something goes wrong with your unit in the middle of the night or the wee hours of the day.
Do you suspect your unit has a refrigerant leak? You can contact GO Heating, Air & Plumbing today at 972-532-0008. The company offers a wide array of heating and cooling services delivered by well-trained techs.