Your AC should keep your home nice and cool in the summer. Air conditioners cool the air with refrigerant, and sometimes it leaks. If the unit isn’t working and you’ve checked everything else, you may wonder how to check the refrigerant level in an AC.
As a top provider of Littleton’s AC repair services, Southwest Heating & Air specializes in all things air conditioning repair and maintenance. Read on to learn the signs of refrigerant leaks in an air conditioner, how to check for them, and what to do about them.
How Do You Know If the AC Unit Is Leaking?
You should check the refrigerant level in an AC if you notice any of the following:
- Warm Air: It’s time to check the refrigerant if you feel warm air when it should be cool.
- Inefficient Cooling: Your air conditioning unit may have a low refrigerant level if it takes a long time to cool your home.
- Frost and Ice on the Refrigerant Lines: Ice or frost on the refrigerant line can be a sign of a leak.
- Hissing or Bubbling Sounds: If you hear these sounds coming from your AC, it’s time to check for a leak.
- Rising Energy Bills: Unexplained electricity bill hikes may indicate a refrigerant leak. Fixing the problem can aid in reducing energy costs significantly.
Any one of these signs can mean your air conditioning unit has a leak and should be serviced.
How Do I Check for Refrigerant Leaks in Littleton, CO?
There may be many types of refrigerants, but they’re all crucial to your AC unit’s climate control process. The refrigerant is the component that makes cooling your home possible.
Refrigerants change from one state of matter to another. As they pass through the AC, they change from a gas to a liquid. This is how they absorb heat and distribute cool air throughout your home. Because this is a low-to-high-pressure process, checking the pressure is one way to determine if it leaks.
You’ll likely need to refill the air conditioning refrigerant in Littleton, CO, at some point in the air conditioning unit’s lifespan. There are many ways to check, including:
- Inspecting the AC Unit: First, look for signs of a refrigerant leak, such as frost accumulating on refrigerant lines.
- The Soap and Bubble Test: Spray a solution of dish soap and water into the AC. Bubbles will form where there’s a leak. You should also check the ground if you don’t see bubbles right away.
- The Dye Test: This testing method uses an ultra-violet fluorescent dye. First, the dye goes into the AC unit and cycles through your entire system. Then, you use a black light to search for dye, which collects where there’s a leak. If you don’t see any leaks on the unit itself, check the ground around it. If you notice dye anywhere, enlist the help of a qualified HVAC professional in Littleton, CO, who knows how to check the refrigerant level in an AC unit.
- Using Leak Detector Tools: An electronic leak detector can accurately pinpoint AC refrigerant leaks. This is another situation where you should call a repair tech.
What To Do When Your AC Unit Is Low on Refrigerant
The best thing to do if you have a refrigerant leak and the air conditioning system is running low is to call a highly trained professional team like Southwest Heating and Cooling. We’ll diagnose the issue and recharge the AC refrigerant. Please do not try this on your own.
Air conditioning refrigerants are poisonous chemicals. A small exposure can irritate your eyes and skin and cause breathing issues. If the exposure goes longer, the refrigerant can cause headaches, nausea, and vomiting. Some people have seizures. The most severe exposure to air conditioning refrigerants can cause fainting or even death.
Don’t put yourself or your family at risk. If you think your AC unit is leaking refrigerant, call for AC repair immediately.
Your Superior Professional Air Conditioning Repair Team in Littleton, CO
Are you still wondering how to check the refrigerant level in an AC? If you’ve tested and found a leak, call Southwest Heating & Cooling. Our highly trained team of HVAC specialists will get to the root of the problem and solve it. We understand that an AC on the fritz can be a huge burden to you and your family. We provide worry-free services that fit your needs.
Don’t let a refrigerant leak ruin your summer. Call 303-791-2679 to schedule a quote, or read more of our blog to learn how to improve your home’s IAQ today!