Why a Refrigerant Leak Could be Dangerous in Your Austin Home

An air conditioner uses a refrigerant for the cooling process, and this refrigerant is hazardous to the environment, in general, if it is released. Air conditioning contractors in Austin recommend an annual inspection every year to check the refrigerant levels in an air conditioning system. You must have heard the term, leaky AC; it means that the air conditioner is leaking refrigerant or water. Most residential air conditioners use Freon, and this is a controlled substance, deemed hazardous by the environment protection agencies all over the world. If it leaks, it can cause depletion of the ozone layer. If plain water is leaking from the air conditioner, it is not dangerous, but it can affect the efficiency and working of the air conditioner. As an air conditioner user, you should not add or change the Freon level in the air conditioner  on your own.

According to environment protection laws, only an expert HVAC technician in Austin can install or remove refrigerant in an air conditioner. If there is a leaky AC, only an expert should handle it. Any loss of the refrigerant is not only harmful for the environment, but it will also reduce the efficiency of the AC. A 10% loss of Freon can cause an increase in the utility bills by as much as 20%. Low levels of Freon can also cause compressor failure, and wear and tear of the evaporator coils. A Freon leak should not go undetected, as it is very dangerous for the environment. These are chlorofluorocarbons, if inhaled these can cause a variety of health problems. An annual inspection every year can help in detecting the leaks. If you detect it yourself, you must call in a professional to repair it.

The latest air conditioner models on the market use a safer option of Freon, which is R410-A.  An air conditioner does not consume its refrigerant, so it should stay at the same level from the time it was installed. A leak can happen due to physical damage to the air conditioner, lack of maintenance, or from old age. It may not be possible to locate the leak visually, and certain tests are conducted and equipment is used to identify this kind of a problem.  

Ways to Fix a Refrigerant Leak With Your Austin Home's Air Conditioner

The cooling system of an air conditioner requires fixed levels of a refrigerant, and it is known as Freon. Freon is a combination of different chemicals; every air conditioner uses coolants to cool the air, and Freon is a non-flammable and odorless gas that should not leak from an air conditioning system. HVAC repair technicians receive many emergency calls for a leaky air conditioner in Austin, and most of the time it is a suspected refrigerant leak. When your air conditioner stops blowing cool air, and does not work as efficiently, it is an indication that the Freon levels are low. A refrigerant leak is quite common, though it should not leak at all.

Seasonal HVAC inspections by an AC technician in Austin is very important; it will not only prevent a leaky air conditioner, but will help in increasing the lifespan of your air conditioning system. This inspection will help in detecting any leaks; otherwise, it is hard to detect any such leak visually. Some leaks would show up later in the life of the air conditioning system. These leaks happen due to wear and tear and constant use. Remember, whatever the cause of a leak is; you have to call in a repair professional to fix it. You should get it fixed as soon as possible. An obvious indication of a Freon leak is water leaking from the air conditioner on to the floor, this happens because air conditioner is low on Freon and ice forms on the indoor coil.

If you are not getting normal airflow from the registers, and it is taking more time to cool the air in the house, your air conditioner is probably low on refrigerant. Another reason to get it fixed quickly is that the price of Freon is rising, and manufacturers no longer use Freon as a refrigerant, and they have to use the safer alternative that is R410A. If your AC still uses that discontinued refrigerant, the price to fix the leak may be much higher than before. Air conditioners 2+ in age still use R22 as a refrigerant. As mentioned before, you should not charge the refrigerant of the air conditioner on your own. Only an EPA certified technician should handle this.

Newer air conditioning units do not use Freon as a coolant, as it is not very safe for the environment; invest in a new, environment friendly and efficient air conditioner for your home. If in any case you are able to locate a leaking spot in your air conditioner, remember to switch it off completely before performing any sealing. You can apply a leak sealant on the spot; certain devices can help locate a leaking spot. If the leak sealant is not serving the purpose, call a qualified repair technician to inspect it.

Why Does Water Leak From my AC in Austin?

It is very important to have a functioning air conditioner at home that keeps you comfortable, and maintains a stable temperature inside. There are certain things you need if you want your AC to function properly in the most serious summer weather. There are many complaints and emergency calls that HVAC companies receive during the summer months in Austin, and most issues can be solved by regular maintenance and tune-ups. One of the most common problems that homeowners and other AC owners suffer from is a leaky AC, or in other words water leaking from the air conditioner.
 

If you have noticed that your AC is leaking water, then there is no need to panic. If you have not called up an AC technician for a tune-up session yet, call them now. There are many licensed HVAC companies in Austin that can help with minor to major AC-related issues. Have you ever wondered what a leaky AC could be a sign of? Although, it is alarming, it can be taken care of by a professional HVAC contractor. The number one reason for a leaking AC is an improper installation.
 

If the AC unit is not level, or is improperly installed, it can leak water, or the other reason could be that your condenser pump is broken. Only an HVAC professional can determine what the real cause of a leaky AC is and how to fix it. If the drain hole of your AC unit is blocked, the AC will leak water since it can be blocked with dirt and debris. If there is a blockage in the drain hole, clear it. When the blockage is removed, the water will properly exit the condenser pan. If the outside unit of your AC is not properly sealed, or the sealing is worn off, it can cause excess warm air to get inside the unit, thus causing the moisture in the air to condense and making the unit pool water below. In this case, the outside unit may require proper re-sealing. 

Remember, there could be many reasons for a leaking air conditioner, and only an expert can determine what needs to be fixed. But you must take care of your AC unit. Keep an eye on any such leakages, and report them to your HVAC company in Austin.