{"id":2194,"date":"2023-04-17T11:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-04-17T15:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wallheatingandair.com\/blog\/?p=2194"},"modified":"2023-04-14T13:44:20","modified_gmt":"2023-04-14T17:44:20","slug":"why-a-refrigerant-leak-means-you-need-repairs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wallheatingandair.com\/blog\/why-a-refrigerant-leak-means-you-need-repairs\/","title":{"rendered":"Why a Refrigerant Leak Means You Need Repairs"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"evaporator-coil-of-a-central-air-conditioner\"<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

While there are many critical components in an air conditioner, it is the refrigerant itself which does the job of absorbing heat from inside your home and carrying it outside to be released. Your AC unit was manufactured with all the refrigerant it should need for its entire lifetime. It doesn\u2019t need to be refilled \u2026 unless you have a refrigerant leak.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do refrigerant leaks happen? How can you tell if your AC\u2019s refrigerant is leaking? And what needs to be done about it? Here\u2019s all the information you need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

How Refrigerant Leaks Occur<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s possible for the coils which contain the refrigerant to be damaged directly, for example if they were hit by debris in a storm. It\u2019s even possible for the coils to be damaged during a botched DIY or amateur installation, which is a good reason to always have AC installation done by trained, qualified professionals. But most of the time, it\u2019s good old-fashioned wear and tear that is the true culprit. The refrigerant is continually evaporating and condensing, expanding and contracting, and changing dramatically in temperature. This puts a lot of strain on the coils that contain it, and eventually, a crack can develop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Problems Refrigerant Leaks Cause<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps the most obvious concern is that with less refrigerant, your air conditioner can pull less heat from your home. This also leads to inefficiency, so in addition to failing to keep your home as comfortable as it once did, an AC unit with a refrigerant leak will cost you more to operate. Ice can build up on the evaporator coil, which is part of the indoor unit, and when it melts it can cause water damage. And worst of all, lack of refrigerant puts a lot of strain on the compressor, which is the hardest-working and most-expensive component of the air conditioner. If that goes on for too long, you\u2019ll have to replace the whole unit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Tell If Your Refrigerant Is Leaking<\/h2>\n\n\n\n