Staying happy and healthy in the summer requires keeping your home cool. That is why many homes have air conditioners. However, if you own an air conditioner, you are probably aware that these devices require a specific type of refrigerant known as freon to function properly.
Without the proper amount of freon, your system will not function properly and will not keep you cool all day.
In this blog post, we will explain how to tell if your air conditioner needs freon so that you can take appropriate action and avoid complications later on.
What Is Freon and How Does It Work?
The heat in your home is removed by your air conditioner and transferred to the outside. To do so, it must exchange heat with the interior and exterior environments of your home. This is accomplished by using freon as a refrigerant.
The system operates by running a compressor that circulates freon through a series of coils located inside or outside your home. The refrigerant transfers heat to the air inside your home and removes heat from the air outside.
If there is insufficient freon in your system due to a refrigerant leak or for any other reason, it will not be able to cool your home as efficiently as it should. This is why it’s critical to keep the proper amount of refrigerant in your air conditioner.
Let’s look at some of the signs that your air conditioner may require freon refilling.
1. Warm Air From Your Vents
When the air conditioning system fails to produce cool air, it is clear that something is wrong.
When an air conditioner’s refrigerant level drops, the indoor blower motor has to work harder to produce the same amount of cooling. Because the system is both overworking and underperforming, the indoor coil is hotter, and the outside air isn’t as cold.
The hot air that comes out of your vents, as a result, is a clear indication that your system requires freon.
2. Very High Energy Bills
If you’ve noticed that your electric bills are higher than usual, but your air conditioner appears to be working normally, you may have a CO2 shortage.
The higher bills could be due to your AC unit having to work harder because it is low on refrigerant. However, this could not be the only explanation. Every three to six months, replace your air filter and clean the vents of dirt and debris.
3. Your AC Unit Takes Longer To Work
A properly sized air conditioning system can cool a typical home by about 10 degrees Fahrenheit in about 3 hours. If your system takes any longer than that while operating at a higher pressure than usual, this could indicate freon leaks.
A cooling system with insufficient refrigerant levels will take longer to cool a home than one with sufficient quantities. This is because it will take longer for the excess heat to be absorbed inside the house.
Of course, age, size, and wattage are all important considerations, but there is cause for concern if your system does not cool down quickly.
4. There’s Ice on the Refrigerant Line
If your refrigerant lines are encrusted with ice, it is a sure sign that your system is running low on freon. The expansion of water within the CO2 lines causes the lines to freeze. As the CO2 is depleted, the evaporator coil becomes colder than it should be, and the evaporated water within the system cools and solidifies.
The CO2 is supposed to be pressurized so that when it expands and turns to water, it can escape the system. However, if there is insufficient CO2 in the system, the water will freeze and build up on the lines.
5. Water Leak Around the Heater
Because of the extremely low refrigerant levels, ice will form on and around the refrigerant lines, as previously explained. This ice will eventually melt, forming a puddle near or around the furnace.
If you notice puddles near the furnace, consider it an early warning sign of dangerously low refrigerant levels that necessitate immediate service and repair.
6. You Constantly Hear the Compressor Running
If you hear the compressor running constantly, it is a good indication that the system is low on freon.
The compressor is the component of the system that moves CO2 through it. If your compressor appears to be running too frequently, it could be due to a lack of refrigerant in the system.
This means the compressor will run more frequently and for longer periods of time, making it more vulnerable to damage.
7. Hissing or Bubbling Noise
Unusual hissing or bubbling sounds from your air conditioner are one of the first indicators of a leak within the system. As the refrigerant escapes from a joint or a tiny hole in the refrigerant lines, it will hiss or bubble.
Turn off the air conditioning system and listen for the hissing sound. The sound you should listen for is the distinct hiss produced by a leaking gas pipe.
Contact Chills on Wheels Heating & Air Contractors, Inc for Professional Solutions to Your Refrigerant Problem
As you may know, freon is an essential component of your home’s air conditioning system. It is critical in maintaining the optimal temperature of your home by cooling and comforting the indoor environment.
However, whether you have a standard residential HVAC system or a commercial one, replacing the refrigerant can be difficult for someone who lacks technical knowledge.
Before you can get a replacement, you must know the exact type of refrigerant used in your appliance. You will also need sophisticated equipment to complete the task, which will be made more difficult if you discover that you are losing freon due to refrigerant leaks.
The good news is that you can get refrigerant refilling services from Chills on Wheels Heating & Air Contractors, Inc.
So, if you suspect that your AC isn’t removing as much heat as it used to due to low freon levels, please contact us at (904) 379-1606 to speak with an HVAC technician.