As we enter spring and move toward summer, the most important cooling season, it’s important to check on a few basic things for your air conditioning in the home. One of the most important areas here is checking on the level of refrigerant in your air conditioner – this is an actual element that causes the cooling itself, and it’s a vital part of the system.
At Whipple Plumbing, we’re here to help with all these kinds of basic check-ups. Here are some telltale signs that you might have a refrigerant leak in your AC system.
Simple Bad Cooling
The simplest sign here? A system that just isn’t cooling in the way it normally does. There are a few reasons why this might be the case, but one of the most common is a refrigerant leak.
Longer Cooling Cycles
It’s not always possible to notice an AC unit that’s dragging a few degrees behind where you’ve set your thermostat – you aren’t constantly staring at the thermostat and checking the temperature, after all.
At the same time, though, the sound of air moving through the vents can often pick up this sort of thing. You’ll hear air moving at times when the cooling cycle should already be complete. Longer cycles are a sign that refrigerant is leaking.
Humidity
AC units dehumidify as they remove warm air, so if you have a refrigerant leak, this will affect the humidity in your home as well.
Ice on Coils
Some of the simplest visual signs of a refrigerant leak are found on the outdoor AC unit. If you notice ice crystals beginning to form on the evaporator coil, for instance, this is a clear sign that you need service.
Bubbling or Hissing Sound
Another sign that comes from the outdoor AC unit is hissing or bubbling sounds coming off the unit.
Utility Bills Rising
Finally, while there could be a few different reasons for your utility bill going up, a refrigerant leak is definitely among them. If you can’t pinpoint another good reason, check for this one.
For more on signs of a refrigerant leak, or to learn about any of our AC installation or repair services, speak to the pros at Whipple Plumbing today.
