If you discovered a leak in your tire or the pipes under your sink you probably wouldn’t just ignore it. You would do what you could to stop up the leak and call for repairs as soon as possible. Otherwise, the problems would get worse and more expensive to repair. The same should go for your cooling system. If you discover a refrigerant leak you need to call for air conditioning repair in San Jose, CA.
A Run Down on Refrigerant
The cooling system moves the refrigerant between two sets of coils. One is on the inside of the home and the other is on the outside. The coolant in the inside coils draws heat from the air to cool it. Then it runs through the lines and the coolant in the outside coils release the heat into the outside air. It works because coolant can easily shift between gas and liquid states collecting and releasing energy.
What Causes Refrigerant Leaks?
Leaks can develop because of vibrations or weak joints and connections. Age and wear is also a factor. Damage can be another factor, especially for the outdoor unit. But studies show the main culprit is erosion due to formic acid which corrodes the copper piping of the coils. The acid comes from pollutants in the air from hair spray, cleaners, and air fresheners. It penetrates the tubing leaving tiny pinpricks that leak Freon.
How to Tell if You are Losing Refrigerant
A reduction in the refrigerant is not common. A system running properly will circulate coolant and maintain the same amount through the process. So if you are getting a recharge on refrigerant every spring, something is wrong and you likely have a refrigerant leak. Signs of a leak include a loss of cooling power, vents not blowing cool air, hissing sounds from the indoor unit, frozen coils, and higher utility bills. And if you notice a foul smell while running the air conditioning you should contact an HVAC professional right away.
Risks of a Freon Leak
A Freon leak can be a health hazard because it is a lethal, toxic substance. Inhaling or ingesting it is extremely dangerous and could result in death. The biggest concern is making sure no Freon enters the airflow inside the home. That is why any coolant leak should be handled by an HVAC professional.
What to Do About a Leak
Continually recharging or refilling coolant is not the answer. It might seem cheaper than a repair, but the price of refrigerant continues to rise. Just adding more coolant at each service will cost you more in the long run. The better solution is to find the refrigerant leak and fix it. If leaks are small the technical will simply repair them. If leaks are more serious you might need to replace the entire coil.
If you think you have a refrigerant leak do not hesitate to call for air conditioning repair in San Jose, CA. It isn’t something you can afford to ignore. At Pelle Heating and Air Conditioning, we can diagnose the issue and get you the most efficient repairs. Call us at (669) 219-8957 or stop by 1045 N 10th St San Jose, CA 95112.
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