How To Fix a Refrigerant Leak in Your AC: Expert Steps

During the hot summer months, your air conditioner quickly becomes the most popular appliance in your home after hibernating all winter long. Without proper maintenance and continuous use, your air conditioner can experience several problems that can leave you without cool air when you need it most. You can take several steps to protect your AC unit if you suspect a leak in the refrigerant. 

If you need to know how to fix a refrigerant leak in your AC, consider the following tips to keep your unit in great shape. 

How To Fix a Refrigerant Leak at Home 

Before calling a professional HVAC technician for assistance, you can take several actions to ensure the leak in your air conditioning refrigerant doesn’t get worse. Stopping a leak before it worsens will help you avoid more extensive repair or replacement costs for your air conditioning unit.

1. Shut Off Your Air Conditioner - If you notice an air conditioner refrigerant leak, shutting off power to the unit remains essential in preserving it. Shutting off the power to your AC can prevent a further loss of air conditioner refrigerant and more damage. At the start of the warmer months, check your AC unit for any signs of leaks, so you don’t have to go without air conditioning in the heat.
2. Seal the Leak - If the leak appears minor, you can patch the tear with tape or sealant to stop the leak. Some leaks, such as those originating in the evaporator coils, can be tough to detect. Contacting Lexington’s AC repair experts can help locate and seal the leak before it causes further damage to your unit.
3. Seek Professional Air Conditioner Service - Even if you successfully patch the leak yourself, it remains essential to receive professional air conditioner servicing to ensure your unit doesn’t continue to leak. Given the nature of refrigerant, handling it with care remains crucial for your and your home’s health. Additionally, regular maintenance can prevent an AC refrigerant leak from occurring in the first place. A professional HVAC technician can check your refrigerant levels, find and repair leaks, and offer suggestions for replacement should your unit need it. 

Common Causes and Signs of AC Refrigerant Leaks

Understanding the common causes of AC refrigerant leaks can help you identify the source of the problem and find the best solution. 

Installment Issues

Incorrect or haphazard AC unit installation can leave you with an AC refrigerant leak. The most common installation issue involves an over tightening of the flare connections. 

Erosion of metal components

With so many AC units being outside, weather erosion is a common reason for AC refrigerant leaks. Metal erosion can create microscopic holes that allow the refrigerant to leak out. 

High energy bills

A leak in your AC refrigerant prevents your unit from functioning optimally. A leak means your AC unit must work harder to keep your home cool. 

Inadequate cooling

If you constantly have to turn your AC up, yet your home still feels unbearably hot, your AC unit might have a leak. 

Added humidity in your home

A lack of refrigerant in your AC can lead to excessive moisture buildup in your home. Extra moisture can be uncomfortable and lead to other issues, such as mold formation. 

Hissing sounds

A hissing or whizzing sound occurs when the refrigerant escapes from the coils. A hissing sound could also indicate a more severe problem of pressure building in the AC’s compressor. Contact a professional HVAC technician immediately if you hear a hissing sound from your AC unit. 

Dangers of Refrigerant Leaks

An air conditioner refrigerant leak not only leaves you with an inefficient AC unit, but it can also cause harm to your health. AC refrigerant, a.k.a. Freon, has no smell or taste, making it difficult to detect in your environment. If you or a family member happen to ingest freon, it could lead to nausea, vomiting, headaches, trouble breathing, and more dangerous complications. 

Suspect a Leak? Contact a Professional HVAC Service

Several common air conditioning problems can lead to issues requiring professional repair or replacement. While you can take several steps to stop the initial leak, you should call a professional AC repair team to inspect the leak’s cause further. 

If you search “how to fix a refrigerant leak in AC” but still find yourself without a solution, contact the HVAC professionals of Watson Heating & Air today at (859) 659-7272 and schedule a free consultation. We’ll help you fix the issue and prevent it from coming back.