If you want to save money on your energy bills and not be hamstrung by an out-of-refrigerant AC unit, it’s important to know the things that can go wrong with it. This article will cover just that and help you understand how to recognize the signs of a leak and how to address it if needed.
What is a Refrigerant?
Refrigerant is a chemical, also called Freon, that is used in an Air Conditioning Unit to transfer heat from one place to another. Without it, your unit will not be able to cool down the air, and you will not be able to enjoy its functionality. Specifically, in an AC unit, it is necessary to have low levels of liquid Freon at low temperatures. When the stored air temperature is higher than the ambient air temperature, liquid Freon will be used to transfer the energy from one place to another.
When your unit starts working correctly and cooling down your home or business, the stored air will be colder than the outdoor air. This phenomenon is called “low point.” The low point is the lowest temperature in which the air can be lower without freezing.
A common misconception is that Freon evaporates. It is not the Freon that evaporates but the moisture in the air that will do so. The beads of water go back and forth between the liquid and gaseous forms when there is a temperature difference outside and inside. The compressor pulls in this moisture from the air into its hot interior, where it condenses and turns into dripping moisture on the coils of your unit. The compressor then expels dry, warm air from its exterior.
Does It Run Out or Expire?
The good news is that it does not run out or expire like an egg. Not in the least! Your home or business should never run out of Freon. Not in the least! When the liquid Freon has gone below a certain level, the unit will automatically switch to another type of Freon. This is called “Freon exchange.” The former liquid coil will then become cold and dry and will no longer be used by the compressor. If you have a small leak in the system, even if it is just one drop of Freon per minute, it will still be enough to exchange old Freon with fresh Freon. This is because the unit is constantly working whether you are home or not.
What to Do In case of a Leak
In case of a leak, it should never be ignored and immediately addressed. Worry not, though; this is where our HVAC services come in handy. We have a team of A/C specialists within Las Vegas who have years of experience in the industry and know how to handle your unit.
We can easily detect the signs of a leak. Our equipment is advanced and can be programmed to scan for any out-of-refrigerant condition. However, it is important to note that some leaks are very minute and hard to detect by just eyeballing the unit. Feel free to call us as soon as you suspect a problem. Whether your unit is new or old, we have the skills and tools to address this problem. We will be happy to service all makes and models of units. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to give Ideal Services a call or directly schedule an appointment with us by clicking here.