In order for the central cooling system to be effective in cooling down your house, the air conditioner requires adequate levels of refrigerant. Refrigerant is a compound found in either a fluid or gaseous state, generally. Refrigerant readily absorbs heat from the environment when combined with other components like the compressors and evaporators can provide refrigeration or air conditioning. Today, we at Absolute P&M Services would like to briefly share how refrigerant works, and the signs that indicates your air conditioner does not have adequate levels of refrigerant since refrigerant plays a vital role in cooling your home or business.

How Does Refrigerant Work?

Without refrigerant, there would be no air conditioning, refrigeration or freezing technology. When it comes to air conditioners, refrigerant is contained inside the copper coils. As it absorbs heat from the indoor air, the refrigerant transitions from a low-pressure gas to a high-pressure liquid. The air conditioning components send the refrigerant outside as a fan blows hot air over the coils and exhausts it to the exterior. The refrigerant down and turns back into a low-pressure gas. Located inside the home’s unit are the fans that blow air over the cool coils to distribute the resulting cold air throughout the building. The cycle continues to repeat.

Signs of Low Refrigerant

1) It takes longer to cool the home down. As it combats the high temperatures, your AC is working in overdrive to cool your home. Low refrigerant makes this worse with high indoor temperatures and high costs.
2) The air vents are not expelling cool air. Though it can indicate different problems, it is highly likely low refrigerant is one of the causes to feeling warm or lukewarm air blowing through the vents.
3) The thermostat never reaches the set temperatures. If you set your thermostat at 75 degrees for example, and the thermometer never reaches that number, this indicates there is an issue and you need a professional to investigate the matter.
4) Obvious spikes with the utility bill. Compare electric bills month-to-month and year-to-year to see if you are experiencing any abnormal spikes. Should you experience higher than normal electricity costs, have a pro service your system.
5) Coils develop ice. In the event you suspect your air conditioner is low on refrigerant, check the unit for ice buildup. Ice accumulation on copper tubing or the evaporator coil occurs when air conditioner does not have enough refrigerant.
6) Furnace has water leaks. When ice that accumulates on the refrigerant line melts, water can puddle up near the furnace. The fluid can potentially drip to the floor or into the furnace. You need to hire a professional if you ever find water pooling round the furnace.
7) Loud Furnace noises like bubbling or hissing. Since it never uses up like oil, if the refrigerant is low, there is likely a leak, or least likely, it wasn’t properly charged at installation. When you hear hissing or bubbling noise that can indicate there is refrigerant leak in the system, you will need an HVAC service technician to repair the leak and recharge the refrigerant.

Central Air Conditioning Maintenance, Repairs, Replacement & More in Santa Fe, Tomball, Sugar Land, Galveston, Austin & Greater Houston, Texas

Call in the professionals of Absolute P&M Services and let us ensure your effective air conditioner repairs, especially if it is a low refrigerant issue.