Your air conditioning system relies on refrigerant to cool and dehumidify your home. Refrigerant is the lifeblood of your AC, allowing it to transfer heat from inside your home to the outside, resulting in a comfortable indoor environment.
However, if your AC develops a refrigerant leak, it’s not just a minor issue. In some cases, it can be an emergency that will have you searching for AC service in Jupiter, FL. Let’s take a look at four reasons why a refrigerant leak in your AC should be treated as an emergency!
Loss of Cooling Efficiency
Refrigerant is necessary for the cooling process in your air conditioner. If a refrigerant leak occurs the AC’s cooling ability is severely reduced. As the refrigerant level decreases your AC won’t be able to extract heat from the indoor air properly. This means your AC will struggle to maintain a comfortable temperature which results in the system not performing its intended function of cooling the home.
Increased Energy Consumption
When your AC is low on refrigerant due to a leak it has to work much harder and longer to achieve the desired cooling effect. This increased workload translates to higher energy use. You’ll notice a spike in your energy bills as your AC strains to compensate for the refrigerant loss.
Risk of Compressor Damage
This is the heart of your AC system and is responsible for circulating the refrigerant and facilitating the heat exchange process. When there’s a refrigerant leak the compressor can become vulnerable to damage. Low refrigerant levels lead to inadequate lubrication, causing friction and heat buildup within the compressor. Over time this can result in compressor failure. This is a major and costly AC repair that you want to avoid if at all possible!
Addressing a refrigerant leak immediately helps protect your compressor from damage. It will extend the life of your AC system and can help you avoid the expense of compressor replacement.
Harmful Health Effects
Most modern air conditioning systems use a type of refrigerant known as hydrofluorocarbons. If a refrigerant leak occurs these particles can escape into the air and contribute to environmental pollution. Breathing in these chemicals can also pose health risks to you and your family including respiratory issues, headaches, and dizziness. Repairing a refrigerant leak not only benefits your AC system but also helps mitigate potential health and environmental risks associated with refrigerant leakage.
A refrigerant leak in your air conditioning system is not a problem to be taken lightly. It can be an emergency that demands immediate attention from a professional HVAC technician. If you suspect a refrigerant leak due to decreased cooling performance, unusual hissing sounds, or other warning signs, don’t delay to contact a qualified technician to diagnose the issue, repair the leak, and recharge the refrigerant to the appropriate level. By treating a refrigerant leak as the emergency it is, you can ensure the efficient operation of your AC, maintain your comfort, and safeguard your AC system’s longevity.
Contact Seaside Air Services today to schedule your appointment and maintenance!