Your AC unit needs refrigerant to work properly and cool your home. Here’s what to do if your air conditioner has a Freon leak.
A lot of people we’ve talked to have experienced refrigerant leak and come to us for Freon leak repair. If your AC unit is having this problem, don’t ignore it! The lack of proper service for an air conditioner leaking Freon can result in breakdown of your system, which will only cost you more in repairs and even replacement.
Don’t worry—addressing a refrigerant leak isn’t as tough or complicated as you may think. Here’s what you need to do if you find yourself asking “what should I do if my AC has a Freon leak?”
What is Freon?
First off, it’s important to know what role Freon plays in your HVAC system and why a Freon leak can be so damaging.
Basically, Freon refrigerant is the lifeblood of your air conditioning unit. It’s what makes indoor cooling possible. This coolant is contained in your AC coils and cools the air in your home or office.
If you AC unit is leaking Freon, that means it’s not going to have the coolant it needs to get the job done. This not only impacts your indoor air quality—it’ll also damage your equipment. That’s why it’s imperative to address this issue as soon as you become aware of it.
Steps You can Take on your Own to Identify a Freon Leak
If you more or less find your way around an AC unit, there are a few things you can try on your own when your air conditioner is leaking Freon.
- Charge the system with refrigerant and check for leaks along all accessible pipe joints. If you don’t see leaks immediately, let the equipment run with the additional Freon until the leak becomes large enough to pinpoint its location. Be advised that running your system on low Freon can provoke damage that your AC company won’t be responsible for.
- Add leak detector seal to your air conditioner. This product will often seal small Freon leaks in your pipes. Just be warned, it’s not 100% effective for sealing all refrigerant leaks. And it doesn’t work for sealing large leaks.
These two Freon leak repair methods can prove useful if the problem isn’t that serious.
What a Professional can do for You
Maybe you want to enlist the help of an HVAC professional. You definitely should if your AC unit has a history of Freon leak repairs. In this case, your air conditioning repair guy can assist you by performing a high pressure test that isolates air handler, refrigerant pipes, and condenser.
This process for repairing refrigerant leaks puts the condenser, air handler, and liquid and suction refrigerant pipes under 300 pounds of nitrogen pressure for a brief time. This allows the HVAC technician to see which regions have low pressure. These are the parts that need to be repaired or replaced.
This is the most certain method for identifying and fixing your air conditioner when it’s leaking Freon. If you need help at any time to get your unit back in shape, contact us without hesitation. We offer 24-hour AC services to residents and businesses throughout South Florida.