Lately, it seems that your air conditioner isn’t blowing the cold, frosty air it used to provide. You may be wondering if something has gone wrong. Could it be that it’s low on refrigerant? Do you know how to tell if you have low refrigerant levels?

Your AC system needs refrigerant in order to remove the heat from your home. Low levels could mean that it won’t work as efficiently as it should. If you’re new to homeownership, you may not know how to diagnose the various problems that HVAC systems can encounter.

First, let’s take a look at refrigerants – what they are and how they work. Then we can see how changes in levels may affect your system’s performance.

What are Refrigerants?

Another name for refrigerants are “heat transfer fluids,” although in fact, they change from gasses to fluids within the system. This substance, normally halogenated chlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) or R-22, is transferred from inside to outside your home to remove heat.

Indoors, it is converted from a low-pressure gas to a high-pressure liquid by the compressor, where it absorbs heat from the ambient air in your home. The system then transfers the refrigerant outdoors, to the condensing unit, where the heat is dispersed through fins with the aid of a fan.

The refrigerant is then recycled back into your home to repeat the process until the control unit notes that the temperature indoors has reached the one set on the thermostat.

So, you can see that inadequate levels of refrigerant will hamper your AC’s effectiveness.

Signs of Low Refrigerant Levels in Your System

If you suspect your system has low refrigerant levels, you may notice some of the following signs:

1. Ice on the refrigerant lines

The refrigerant system in your air conditioning equipment is a closed loop. It needs to remain at the correct levels in order for the refrigerant to move through the system with enough force.

However, when levels are low, the pressure in the system drops, which also means a drop in temperature. This results in ice forming on the lines.

This can also lead to a frozen evaporator coil. The temperature drops so low that it freezes the condensate that forms on the outside of the coils.

2. Distinctive and odd sounds

Low refrigerant levels may present as strange sounds from the equipment. Many homeowners report hearing hissing and gurgling from the unit, indicating a leak in the system.

3. Warm air blowing from the vents

Warm air blowing from the vents is one symptom of low refrigerant levels. However, it could be caused by other problems, such as incorrect thermostat settings or a clogged air filter. So, warm air from the vents should never be the only sign you look for if you suspect a leak.

Why Low Refrigerant Levels Are Trouble

Low refrigerant levels should be handled immediately. Along with impacting the effective cooling of your home, low refrigerant levels can effect the lifespan of your equipment.

Low levels of refrigerant can result in damage to the compressor by forcing it to work with lower pressures than it was designed to use. Compressor replacement is one of the most expensive results of refrigerant leaks that go ignored.

Last, but not least, low refrigerant levels are always the result of a leak. Because the refrigerant lines in your home AC system are a closed loop, you should never need to refill it unless there is a leak somewhere.

A refrigerant leak poses dangerous health risks, from problematic symptoms to refrigerant poisoning. It’s also a serious environmental concern, contributing to climate change.

Next Steps When You Suspect a Refrigerant Leak

If you’ve noticed the above signs of refrigerant loss and suspect you have a refrigerant leak, you’ll need to contact a trained technician to repair it and recharge your system.

This is one HVAC project you can’t DIY. While you can change up your auto’s AC system with a can of freon from the auto parts store, you won’t be able to do the same with your home’s system.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires that refrigerants be properly and professionally handled to prevent them from harming people and damaging the environment.

If you suspect you have a refrigerant leak, make an appointment today with the experts at One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning in Pleasantville. Our professional AC technicians will find and fix the leak and then ensure the refrigerant levels are correct.