A common belief is that an air conditioner "uses up" refrigerant and needs a recharge now and then, like a car needs gas. It doesn't. Refrigerant circulates in a sealed loop. If the level is low, it's leaking somewhere.
Signs to watch for
- Weak cooling or heating, or air from the vents that isn't as cold (or warm) as it used to be
- Ice on the copper lines at the outdoor unit, or on the indoor coil
- Longer run times, or a system that never quite reaches the set temperature
- A hissing or bubbling sound near the indoor or outdoor unit or the lines
- Higher electric bills without a change in how you use the system
- An oily spot on a fitting or the coil, where oil carried by the refrigerant has escaped
Some of these have other causes too, like a dirty filter or coil. A technician measures the system's pressures and temperatures to tell the difference.
Why topping it off isn't a fix
Adding refrigerant without finding the leak means it leaks out again, often within weeks or months. Meanwhile the system runs low, which strains the compressor, the most expensive part to replace. And releasing refrigerant isn't good for the environment, which is why it's regulated and only certified technicians may handle it.
What a repair involves
- Finding the leak, with an electronic detector, bubble solution, or by pressurizing the system with nitrogen.
- Repairing it, often at a fitting, a valve or a spot on the coil.
- Pulling a vacuum and recharging the system to the manufacturer's specification.
When the leak is in an indoor or outdoor coil on an older system, replacing the coil, or the system, can make more sense than repairing it. See repair or replace and what the refrigerant change means for older systems.
Seeing these signs? Call us at 805-965-6326 or send us a message.
Related
- Why is my AC blowing warm air?
- R-454B refrigerant and older systems
- Repair or replace your air conditioner?
More tips on cooling, heat pumps.