Freon is an essential part of the cooling system in your air conditioner (AC). It’s also one of the most common problems that many homeowners don’t know how to identify. If you’ve noticed that your AC unit isn’t cooling as well as it should, you probably need to get AC repair in North Little Rock to get your home cool again.And the lack of cooling is just one sign that your AC is leaking freon. Here’s a breakdown of what freon is, what causes the leaks, how much repairs cost, and how One Call Service Group can help.
What is freon?
Freon, also known as refrigerant or coolant, is a non-combustible gas that runs through your home’s AC system. To cool a space, the AC will suck the warm air inside, and expel it outside while also sucking in the cool air outside and bringing it inside. As this happens, the refrigerant is being compressed by the unit’s compressor, which heats it up. Then it’s passed through a series of coils where it cools and becomes a liquid.During the cooling process, the refrigerant also absorbs heat and moisture from the air outside. With the air-cooled, the unit expels it inside, giving you a nice, cool breeze. The liquid is then sent to evaporators that convert it back into a gas. All this happens in a constant cycle.Freon is not supposed to run out—like the oil in your car. Your AC unit is supposed to use the same amount of coolant throughout its lifespan. This is why a freon leakage is a cause for concern, requiring emergency AC repair in North Little Rock.
What causes freon leakage?
Coolant leaks are uncommon. But when it happens, a few different things could be causing it. Here are the most common ones, assuming that your unit doesn’t have any factory defects.
Improper installation
Sometimes the AC installation technician may cut corners, or simply do a poor job of installing the unit. Make sure that after installation, the technician looks for any potential leaks by testing the system’s soldering.
Physical damage
Be careful when you’re mowing or doing anything near the AC unit. If anything hits it, its internal components can get damaged. This can lead to freon leakage.
Wear and tear
Wear and tear is also another common source of refrigerant leaks. For example, the metal can erode over time from formaldehyde corrosion, leaving small holes in the unit that can be the source leakages. This is why it is a good idea to perform maintenance AC repair in North Little Rock at least once a year.
How you can tell that your AC is leaking freon
Detecting the freon leakage and calling in for AC repair can save you money. On top of that, it can prevent you and your family from experiencing the negative effects of long-term exposure to this gas. These effects include headaches, nausea, dizziness, vomiting, fluid buildup in the lungs, and even lung failure.Here’s how to tell that your AC is leaking freon.
There’s a decrease or delay in cooling power.
When you notice that your AC unit isn’t cooling the air around you as much as it should, the most likely cause is a freon leakage. More specifically, this is a sign that the unit is running low on refrigerant and is not cooling the air very well. And sometimes, the air conditioner will cool the air as it should, but it will take longer than usual.
The AC unit makes strange noises.
Normally, the AC unit will produce a constant but low blowing noise as it brings cool air into your home or workspace. You can easily ignore this noise, because it quickly fades into the background.Depending on how big the leak is, you may notice anything from a hiss to a gurgling sound that’s hard to ignore. This could mean that the coils have holes or cracks in them, requiring an AC coil repair link.
It blows warm air.
If you notice any of the above, try placing your hand on the AC’s registers (also called vent covers). If you feel warm air coming through, you can count that as further evidence that freon is leaking.
You have frozen coils.
With less coolant running through them, the coils won’t absorb enough heat. This means they will condense over time, which can make them freeze. If the coils melt, you might notice the AC dripping. And if you don’t do something about it right away, you might be facing a huge and expensive emergency repair job in the future.
Your electric bill is suddenly high.
Because there isn’t enough refrigerant to cool the air, your air conditioner will kick into high gear to cool it. This means that it will use more power than usual, which will significantly raise your electric bill.
How much does emergency AC repair cost?
Your AC freon leak repair cost will depend on how much coolant leaked out, where the leak is, and how much damage there is. You can expect the home AC service costs for this type of work to be anywhere between $200 and $1,500.When you call an AC repair technician, they will locate the source of the leakage and repair it. They will also refill the freon so the unit can return to its peak performance.
For more information
Freon leaks can cost a lot of money in repairs and energy bills. On top of that, they pose a serious health concern. If you notice any of the signs above in your home or office AC unit, contact One Call Service Group by filling out this form for a free quote. Every repair service has its own HVAC service price list, but you will find ours to be highly affordable, competitive, and transparent.
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