Refrigeration is a primary component of air conditioning. It essentially exchanges heavy, hot air for cooler, refreshing and comfortable temperatures. Over time, due to wear and tear or possible defects or damage, leaks can develop.
This not only threatens a Largo household’s comfort but can pose a major health concern. Visit – AC Refrigerant Leak: What You Need To Know – Tower Energy – for guidance of AC refrigerant leaks.
The Dangers of Refrigerant Leaking from an Air Conditioner
While a refrigerant leak can lead to increases in utility costs, it also poses a risk to your health.
If you suspect there is a leak, it’s vital to shut off the AC power and contact a Florida professional AC repair tech immediately. If you inhale fumes, you could be in danger of refrigerant poisoning.
This can have severe, even fatal consequences. Those with small children and pet need to protect them from health repercussions by learning about the signs of AC refrigerant leaks and potential poisoning in order that you can respond immediately if an issue occurs. Read here to learn about refrigerant poisoning, the symptoms, and how it’s treated.
Symptoms of refrigerant poisoning
Seek immediate medical help or contact the National Poison Control Hotline if you experience and symptoms as follows:
– Severe pain in the sinuses, nose, or throat or swelling of the neck or throat
– Dizziness
– Trouble breathing or shortness of breath
– Loss of focus or coordination
– Nausea
A refrigerant leak is only one reason the AC unit may not be efficiently cooling the home. These are not uncommon and should be ruled out immediately. There are many AC repairs that homeowners can handle in a DIY capacity; however, refrigeration issues should be left to reputable professionals.
Only credentialed HVAC repair technicians like those with Weathermakers are qualified to handle these repairs safely and are allowed by law to purchase refrigerant. Coming in direct contact with chemical coolants can lead to chemical burns, allergic reactions, and the potential for frostbite.
Extensively trained heating and cooling experts will further evaluate the system to determine if repairs are needed beyond a patch and refill. If the equipment has been worn or damaged, they may recommend a replacement.
Consider the following signs that you may have a refrigerant leak.
Inside AC unit is making hissing noises
A common sign of a refrigerant leak is when the inside AC unit starts making a hissing noise. The parts of the system that distribute the refrigerant have holes or cause the sound when a cycle runs. The noise can resemble more of a gurgling or bubbling sound when the leak is significant, releasing more refrigerant.
When odd noises come from the air conditioner, it’s vital to contact your AC repair company so they can troubleshoot and rule out a possible leak.
The AC powers on but doesn’t cool
When the refrigerant is insufficient, the air conditioner will be less efficient in cooling the home’s air. If you’ve performed basic troubleshooting, including checking the air filter and thermostat batteries, and the problem persists, it can be related to a leak.
The air is unusually humid
Floridians, especially those in Southern Florida are used to humidity in the summer. The air conditioner helps to relieve much of this; however, if there’s a problem with the refrigerant, a Largo home will notice an issue virtually immediately.
Refrigerant is an essential part of the system’s heat exchange process. This involves removing the hot and heavy air from the household to replace it with light, refreshing, and conditioned air. A deficient refrigeration process with an AC unit will hinder the equipment’s ability to eliminate the indoor humidity.
Not only does the refrigerant issue need to be addressed quickly, but a secondary concern of mold and mildew growth will need to be assessed.
Increasing utility costs
All homeowners look for ways to keep their utility costs as low as possible. It’s important to pay attention to your bill to ensure it’s not increasing unwarrantedly. If you notice a spike in the bill without extra usage, there could be a refrigerant leak that needs immediate attention.
These leaks will cause the AC system to work harder for basic cooling functions without achieving the desired temperature. This means increased energy consumption and elevated utility expenses.
Final Thought
When your Largo home isn’t as cool as it should be or the system struggles to achieve the desired temperature, there could be a refrigerant leak. The key is to reach out to a credentialed HVAC repair technician in your local Florida area to inspect the system and address the issue promptly.
Ideally, as a homeowner, you will establish an ongoing relationship with a qualified and quality HVAC professional and set up a regular inspection and maintenance plan. This will catch developing issues early, before they can lead to major concerns.
