Your air conditioner is running, but your home is warm. When you place your hand near the air coming out of the vent, it does not feel cool. Could it be the refrigerant? It could be, but it’s important to understand what this is. There’s a common belief that refrigerant is some type of fuel. It is not. It does not deplete over time.
In fact, the amount of refrigerant placed into the system by the manufacturer is enough to last the entire lifespan of the system. So, why isn’t your air cool? When you call on a team for AC installation in Chicago, you can find a bit more about why this happens.
What’s Wrong with the AC?
Centralized air conditioners rely on refrigerants to operate. The refrigerant within the system is enough to keep the AC working reliably for a long time. If the air is no longer cool, that may mean that there is a leak in the system somewhere that is causing a drop in the amount of available refrigerant. That’s typically the problem.
If your system is losing refrigerant, that means there is a leak that needs professional repairing. It is not wise to simply add more refrigerant as this does not add any life to the system, and it will simply leak out again. Here’s what you need to know.
What is Refrigerant and How Does It Work?
Refrigerant helps to cool air as it passes through the evaporator coils on the air conditioner. Most models made prior to 2010 will have freon in them. However, most freon systems are no longer being sold because this material is toxic to the environment. It was discontinued from use in 2021. However, models made after 2010 are may have Puron, R410A, or a safer refrigerant.
No matter the type of refrigerant used, they all work in the same basic way. The evaporator coils on the AC turn the refrigerant into gas. This creates a cool area for the hot air from outside the system to enter and pass through. This cools the air. At the same time, the heat that’s captured by the oils turns back into liquid refrigerant as it moves over the coils. Once it is back in its liquid form, the refrigerant then releases the heat.
Signs You May Have a Refrigerant Leak
There are a few things to keep in mind to determine if you have a refrigerant leak:
- There is hot air coming from your vents.
- Your energy bills are higher, but you haven’t changed how you use your AC.
- Your home feels more humid and uncomfortable.
- There is a noticeable water leak.
- It takes longer for your AC to cool your home.
If you’re noticing these problems, it’s a good idea to work with a technician to find out what is occurring and where a leak is so that proper repairs can take place.
Shavitz Heating and Air Conditioning is your trusted resource for quality AC installation in Chicago and more! Contact us today.