Your AC has stopped working, and at the worst possible time, too. Temperatures are creeping up to 90 degrees even though the sun has just barely risen, and the weather forecast for Sun City says today will be a real scorcher. What to do?
If you hear weird hissing noises coming from your AC, chances are you’ve got a refrigerant leak. In this guide, learn what causes refrigerant leaks from our highly rated AC service in Sun City, AZ.
What Can Cause an AC Refrigerant Leak in Sun City?
Normally, your AC’s refrigerant is contained within a copper coil and gets recirculated throughout the system. As long as there are no leaks, you shouldn’t have to replace the refrigerant.
It’s upsetting, then, to find refrigerant leaking out of your unit. Here are the most common causes of refrigerant leaks.
Poor Installation
You were about to hire a professional AC installer, but then that guy on the corner by the hardware store made you an offer you couldn’t refuse. He’d install your AC for way less than the pros, he said. He does the job and walks away, and you’re happy, thinking you’re smart for saving a bundle.
But then your AC starts to fail, and it crosses your mind that maybe paying bottom-barrel rates wasn’t such a good idea.
Not just anyone can install an air conditioner the right way. Far too many technicians don’t add enough refrigerant when installing the unit, and many don’t bother fine-tuning the levels before leaving. Over-tightening flare connections is a common amateur mistake that can cause a leak, too.
Physical Damage
Your outdoor AC unit seems pretty tough, and it is, but it contains delicate parts within. A hard knock at the wrong angle can damage those fragile parts, and boom, you have a refrigerant leak.
Hitting the unit with a lawn mower or weed whacker can do serious damage to the condenser coil. So, too, can nasty weather and even dogs “doing their business” on your unit. That’s why we suggest installing fencing around the unit or elevating it off the ground.
Factory Defects
What causes refrigerant leaks in an AC’s first year? Factory defects may be to blame. It’s pretty rare for air conditioners to leave the factory with defects, but it does happen, and those defects can lead to refrigerant leaks.
Defects tend to happen when the assembly team (or robot) installs a faulty braze joint. Should this happen, the joint can’t handle the constant vibrations and fails way too soon.
Formic Acid Corrosion
No matter how clean you keep your home, there will always be tiny particles and contaminants, such as formaldehyde, floating through the air. Over time, those contaminants mix with water on the AC coil to create formic acid, which then bores little holes in the copper tubing.
These holes are called “pinholes” because they’re virtually microscopic. If your AC’s copper tubing has refrigerant streaming from it in multiple places, pinholes caused by formic acid are probably to blame.
Excessive Mechanical Vibrations
Do you hear weird grinding noises coming from your AC? The copper lines may have crossed and are rubbing against each other, creating the startling sound of metal scraping against metal. These vibrations can eventually cause a nasty hole through which refrigerant can gush out.
Natural Wear and Tear
Is your AC over 15 years old? Old age is one of the biggest causes of refrigerant leaks. Over a lifetime, units take a beating from friction, which causes tubes to deteriorate and seals to fail.
Regular maintenance can help stave off issues that lead to leaks, but eventually, it’ll become more cost-effective to replace the unit instead of continuing to repair it.
Signs You Have a Refrigerant Leak
AC refrigerant leaks have several telltale signs, including:
- Higher energy bills: Have your energy bills suddenly become obnoxiously high? This is often one of the first signs of a refrigerant leak.
- Strange noises: If you hear hissing and don’t own a cat, it’s probably your AC leaking refrigerant.
- AC won’t cool the house: A number of issues can cause your AC to stop cooling. If your unit is still blowing air but the air is warm, a refrigerant leak is the likely cause.
- High humidity: If your AC is low on refrigerant, your home’s humidity level will shoot up.
What Causes Refrigerant Leaks? Call Our Sun City Pros To Find Out
Still wondering what causes a refrigerant leak? If you suspect leaking refrigerant, call Mountainside Air to schedule AC repair in Sun City today. We offer heating services, too!