Overview
Have you seen a decrease in your air conditioners performance lately? If so, it may be time to get your AC unit checked for a possible refrigerant line leak. The refrigerant lines filled with a substance known as Freon plays a crucial role in keeping your home cool. Don’t wait until the middle of summer to get a leak fixed! Learn about how Freon leaks can be repaired, and what you can do to prevent a Freon leak from occurring.
Repair
There are two types of leaks, big ones and small ones (simple enough, right?) The repair of the leak can be very different, which is why we’ll talk about them separately.
Small Leaks
A small leak in your refrigerant lines may be difficult to diagnose because there might not be any obvious signs; however, here are a few circumstances that may indicate a possible refrigerant leak. For instance:
- Your air conditioner is blowing hot air
- Your air conditioner is blowing cold air at night, but warm air during the day
- Frost build up on your indoor air conditioner coil
- Water on the floor by your furnace due to condensation
Don’t ignore small leaks! Adding Freon without fixing the leak will only lead to a more significant leak and more expensive repairs down the road.
Large Leaks
As you can imagine, the larger the leak, the more work it takes to fix it. Larger leaks are often more easily identifiable, as you may notice a visible hole or crack in a coil, or even hear the Freon escaping. An air conditioner technician is required to fix large leaks. They may solder the line, or also replace the coil.
Prevention
Here are a couple of tips to help prevent a Freon leak from forming in your air conditioner:
- Pee-Free – Keeping your dog away from the outside AC unit will save your pipes, as dog urine is very acidic and can eat through refrigerant coils.
- Regular maintenance – Yearly AC maintenance will make sure your unit has a long life. Leaks can occur because of vibration and wear and tear at multiple joints in the system. Annual AC maintenance can help to catch any leaks while they are still small and inexpensive to fix!
Romaniuk Can Help!
If you suspect you may be dealing with a Freon leak, call the experts at Romaniuk Heating & Air Conditioning. Our qualified technicians can diagnosis and repair all makes and models of air conditioners.
