Homeowners typically don’t have to replace the coolant in their air conditioning units because most units incorporate a closed-loop system. If there are no major accidents or malfunctions, the coolant should last the life of the unit. However, sometimes your AC will break down. If your air conditioning system develops a leak or experiences some other system failure, you may need to replace the coolant. Now, you may be wondering what to do if you are ever in this situation. To help you out, here’s everything you need to know about AC coolant leaks.
What Are the Signs That Your AC May Have a Coolant Leak?
The most obvious sign that your AC isn’t cooling your home well is that it begins to leak coolant. If you notice that your HVAC unit stops cooling your home effectively, or that you can feel warm air blowing through your vents, you should inspect it for leaks. Other symptoms of a coolant leak are water seeping from the vents or excess moisture on the outside of the unit.
The HVAC system, which includes metal components such as the copper tube walls, is used to control the temperature. As the components become corroded, they begin to break down, causing holes and splitting along the seams. When this happens, the refrigerant that controls the air circulation leaks out.
What Should You Do Before You Call a Technician?
When your air conditioner is no longer cooling your home, especially when the weather is hot, you’ll have to have it fixed as soon as possible. Before you call a technician, you can try to address the issue on your own. Check whether your AC needs to be cleaned. An AC doesn’t work as well when it has a lot of dirt or leaves blocking the airflow.
When Should You Call a Technician?
If your air conditioner still isn’t cooling your home well, it’s time to call a professional technician to check the system. Problems with the air conditioner may just be easy to fix if you have the unit cleaned.
You can opt to clean the condenser unit yourself, but this is not a task to be taken lightly. The condenser uses metal blades or fins to push air around. It quickly picks up dead grass, dust, and dirt. Dirt blocks the flow of air and reduces the unit’s cooling ability. To clean it, you can use a vacuum with a soft brush to remove the dirt without damaging the fins.
If you’re uncomfortable cleaning this part of your air-conditioning unit, you can always pay for a professional to do it for you. Remember, if you clean a unit yourself, you could potentially do more damage than good. This is why it may be best to ask a technician to do it for you.
Conclusion
We hope this article proves to be useful when it comes to helping you deal with any AC coolant leak issues. While it may seem intimidating, you will be able to deal with this problem with ease as long as you know what you’re doing. Be sure to keep everything that we’ve discussed here in mind so that you can deal with AC coolant leaks effectively.
If you are looking for reliable AC repairs, Mainline Heating & Air has got you covered. Our high-quality products include air conditioners, heat pumps, gas furnaces, air handlers, package units, home generators, tankless hot water heaters, UV lights, humidifiers, filtering systems, and dehumidifiers. For more information, check out the rest of our website!
