The air conditioner requires adequate levels of refrigerant in order for the central cooling system to be effective in cooling down your house. Generally found in either a fluid or gaseous state, refrigerant is a compound. When combined with other components like the compressors and evaporators, refrigerant readily absorbs heat from the environment and can provide refrigeration or air conditioning. Where refrigerant plays a vital role in cooling your Greater Houston, TX home or business, we at Absolute Plumbing & Mechanical would like to briefly share how refrigerant works, and the signs that indicates your air conditioner does not have adequate levels of refrigerant.

Function of Refrigerant in Air Conditioning System

There would be no air conditioning, refrigeration or freezing technology without refrigerant. Refrigerant is contained inside the copper coils when it comes to air conditioners. The refrigerant transitions from a low-pressure gas to a high-pressure liquid as it absorbs heat from the indoor air. Where a fan blows hot air over the coils and exhausts it to the exterior, the air conditioning components send the refrigerant outside. From there, the refrigerant down and turns back into a low-pressure gas. To distribute the resulting cold air throughout the building, another fan located inside the home blows air over the cool coils. The cycle continues to repeat.

Symptoms of Low Refrigerant is AC Unit

1) The home takes longer than usual to cool off. Your AC is working in overdrive to cool your home as it combats the high temperatures. With high indoor temperatures and high costs, low refrigerant makes this worse.
2) There is not any cool air coming from the vents. It is highly likely low refrigerant is one of the causes to feeling warm or lukewarm air blowing through the vents, though it can indicate different problems.
3) The set temperatures on the thermostat is never reached. There’s concern with your air conditioner and you need to have it checked if you set your thermostat at 75 degrees for example, but the thermometer never reaches that number.
4) There is a noticeable increase in your utility bill. To help you identify issues with your HVAC unit, comparing your electric bills month-to-month and year-to-year can be useful. Have your air conditioner serviced, should you experience higher than normal electricity costs.
5) Ice on the coils. Check the unit for ice buildup in the event you suspect your air conditioner is low on refrigerant. When an air conditioner does not have enough refrigerant, ice accumulation on copper tubing or the evaporator coil occurs.
6) Heater experiences water leaks. Water can puddle up near the furnace when ice that accumulates on the refrigerant line melts. The fluid can potentially drip to the floor or into the furnace. Water near the furnace should never occur, it if does, call the pro.
7) Noises that bubble or hiss. There is a leak somewhere if your refrigerant is low, as it never uses up like oil. You will need an HVAC service technician to repair the leak and recharge the refrigerant when you hear hissing or bubbling noise that can indicate there is refrigerant leak in the system.

Central Air Conditioning Tune Up Maintenance, Repair & More in Santa Fe, Tomball, Sugar Land, Galveston & Greater Houston, Texas

If you notice a problem with your air conditioner, especially if it is a low refrigerant issue, call in the professionals of Absolute Plumbing & Mechanical and let us ensure your effective AC repairs.