Your air conditioner would not be able to cool your home without refrigerant. As long as your air conditioner is turned on, refrigerant cycles throughout your air conditioning system, playing a vital role in heat exchange. The chemical has the ability to change from a gas to a liquid and back again as it reaches the various mechanical parts of your system, absorbing heat from your home and releasing it outdoors.
However, while refrigerant helps heat to dissipate, the refrigerant itself is not supposed to leave your system. If you have low refrigerant levels, it most likely indicates that there is a leak in your system. If you notice signs of low refrigerant levels, turn off your system and call an AC professional today for air conditioning repair in North Potomac, MD today.
Signs of a Refrigerant Leak
Leaks form along the refrigerant line because of corrosion or loose connections. Sometimes, refrigerant leaks are small and may go undetected for long periods of time. However, a hissing sound from your AC system is usually a good indicator of a refrigerant leak. Another sign that you may have a leak is reduced cooling power, since low refrigerant has a significant impact on heat exchange.
The Dangers of Low Refrigerant
Hissing noises and reduced cooling may seem like minor issues, but low refrigerant can cause major damage if you continue to run your system and do not call for air conditioning repair. One risk is that your system will break down when you need it most. Your system is designed to meet a certain refrigerant “charge,” and, if this charge changes, your system cannot keep up.
The compressor increases the pressure of the refrigerant so it can give off heat at the condenser. Loss of refrigerant can cause the compressor to overheat, which may lead to a costly replacement. Low refrigerant may also cause your indoor evaporator coil to freeze, further preventing heat exchange until your system fails entirely.
For professional air conditioning repair in North Potomac, speak to an AC specialist at Tuckers Air Conditioning, Heating & Plumbing and let us help you get your AC up and running again. Give us a call today to set up a service appointment!