How Do I Know If My Air Conditioner Has a Leak?

Refrigerant or Freon is the chemical blend that circulates throughout the HVAC system to allow air to move from inside to outside the home. With no refrigerant, an air conditioner system acts as a fan, not a cooling system. Leaks in the AC typically start small and are not noticeable until the AC system starts acting up.

Signs your AC is leaking refrigerant include:

Unit not cooling as well

If your house is taking longer than normal to cool down, you may have a refrigerant leak. This isn’t immediately noticeable – many people don’t realize the unit isn’t working properly until seasons later. For example, maybe one year you realize the upstairs isn’t as cool as it was in years past. A lack of refrigerant makes the AC run much longer and work harder – also leading to higher energy bills.

Unit is blowing warm air

If the AC is set to cool and is still blowing warm air, you may be experiencing a refrigerant leak.

You hear a hissing sound

A hissing sound coming from the unit typically means refrigerant may be leaking from the coils. Refrigerant leaks are caused by holes in the lines, and as it leaks it created a hissing sound. You’ll typically have to be close to the unit to hear the sound.

Icing along the evaporator coil

A lack of refrigerant in an AC system causes the coils to lack the ability to absorb heat. This leads to condensation built up on the coils, eventually freezing over.

If you think you have a refrigerant leak, call the professionals at Altman’s Cooling & Heating today at 321-300-1407. Though it may seem easier to top the refrigerant off, a professional can locate the leak and seal it before it becomes larger. A professional will also recharge the refrigerant to its proper level. Proper annual maintenance will find leaks before they affect your AC system, leading to less costly repairs down the road.