Telltale Signs of AC Refrigerant Leak

Spring is fully upon us, and for homeowners in Utah where the summers can get very hot, this is an important time of the year for a few HVAC concerns. In particular, it’s the best time of year to make sure your home’s air conditioner is in peak condition and prepared for the hot season.

At All Hours Plumbing, Drain Cleaning, Heating & Cooling, we’re here to help. Our air conditioning service includes a full range of basic tune-ups, including checking for common issues this time of year. One such issue? Leaking refrigerant, which happens to many systems naturally over time. You can be of help in detecting this issue – here are some signs to keep an eye out for.

Cooling Quality

The simplest and often most common sign of leaking refrigerant is a reduction in your system’s cooling quality. If you suddenly notice your system can’t keep the home cool during hot hours, and you can’t find another simple explanation, refrigerant could be it.

Humidity

Note that you’ll often see these signs in humidity as well – a proper AC system dehumidifies while it cools.

Noises

From the audio standpoint, sounds like bubbling or hissing coming from the outside air conditioner unit could also be signs of leaking refrigerant.

Longer Cycles

There are a couple ways you might notice that your system is running longer cycles in an attempt to make up for a weakened state. For one, if you pass by your thermostat often, you might notice that the actual home temperature lags behind the thermostat setting frequently. For another, even if you don’t see this with your own eyes, you can often hear air moving through the vents even when the system isn’t supposed to be active.

Ice on Coils

Another sign you may notice on the outdoor AC unit is ice forming on the unit. This will be in the form of frosty crystals – it may seem strange, but these are most common during the hottest times of the day.

Rising Utility Bills

Finally, another sign that you might notice at the end of the month is a rising utility bill. There are a few possible reasons for this, so check into other potential causes, but a refrigerant leak is definitely among them.

For more on recognizing AC refrigerant leaks, or to learn about any of our other air conditioning service, speak to the pros at All Hours Plumbing, Drain Cleaning, Heating & Cooling today.