5 Signs Your Air Conditioner Is Leaking Refrigerant

With the summer heat coming, you need your air conditioner to work properly and keep your home cool. A refrigerant leak is one of the primary issues that can stop your AC from working as intended, making a refrigerant level check an important piece of needed maintenance at the start of the spring season. When your AC is leaking refrigerant, it can struggle and even have a breakdown that requires costly repair or replacement AC services.

Due to the danger of leaks, you’ll want to know the main warning signs of refrigerant leaks so you can take action fast.

1. Poor Cooling and High Humidity

When your AC leaks refrigerant, the unit will struggle to transfer heat, leading to a warmer and more humid home. If you have your home set to a cool temperature, but your AC is blowing warm air and increasing your home’s humidity, chances are you have a refrigerant leak. Whenever your skin feels sticky from humidity or your AC isn’t cooling your home like it used to, it’s time for an HVAC inspection.

2. Hissing Noises

While most ACs will make some noise, you may have a refrigerant leak if your AC makes a hissing or gurgling sound. Usually, a hissing sound signals your unit has a smaller leak, while a gurgling sound is a sign of a large leak. When you notice these sounds, you should have your AC inspected by an HVAC professional.

3. Extended Cooling Cycles

Since refrigerant is responsible for absorbing heat and removing it from your home, leaking refrigerant will reduce your cooling power. Diminished cooling power will mean your AC will need more time to cool down your home, resulting in an extended cooling cycle. If you notice your AC stays on longer than five minutes whenever it cycles on, it may need an AC refrigerant leak repair. 

4. Higher Energy Bills

Leaks in your AC will cause the unit to work harder to cool your home efficiently. This inefficiency can have a direct impact on your energy bills, as your AC will have to use more energy to pump cold air into your house. If you notice your energy bills are higher than normal and you notice any of the other signs in this article, you’ll need an inspection to see if a refrigerant leak is at fault.

5. Frozen Coils

If your AC’s refrigerant is leaking, you’ll have lower levels of refrigerant running through your evaporator coils. Due to not having enough refrigerant, the evaporator coils won’t properly absorb heat, and the condensation that would normally evaporate on the coils will freeze. Frozen coils can cause your system to break down, so you’ll need an HVAC inspection fast if you notice melted water dripping onto your floor from the AC.

Choose Newcomb and Company for Air Conditioner Leak Repairs in Raleigh

When your air conditioner is showing signs of a refrigerant leak and you live in Raleigh or the surrounding areas, turn to Newcomb and Company for air conditioner refrigerant leak repairs. Once you contact us, one of our HVAC professionals will arrive at your home quickly to inspect your unit for refrigerant leaks. After our team finds the leak, they’ll perform the AC refrigerant leak repair fast, ensuring you have cool air even on the hottest days.

Find out more about our HVAC repair services today. If you have any questions or want to schedule an appointment, please contact us.