Tag: answers

What Does Refrigerant Do?

While refrigerant is vital in an air conditioner, many people do not understand what it is and why it’s so important. Refrigerant is a substance that lives in the coils of an air conditioner. It helps cool the indoor air by absorbing the heat. An AC unit cannot properly cool a space without the right amount of refrigerant or coolant. 

This post will answer common questions property owners have about refrigerants, including what type of refrigerant their system needs, what causes refrigerant leaks, and when they need to schedule professional refrigerant leak repairs.

What Refrigerant Does the AC Use?

Some people do not know what type of refrigerant their air conditioner uses – or where to find the information. In fact, some may not even be aware that there are different types of refrigerants. This is essential for property owners to know because refrigerant types are not interchangeable. Adding the wrong type to the system can damage an AC unit.

Locating the type of refrigerant a system needs is easy. Some may have encountered the information without realizing it. On the outside of an outdoor air conditioning unit, there should be a label that lists the type of refrigerant it uses. If available, the owner’s manual that came with the system should also list the required kind of refrigerant. A space with an older AC unit built before 2010 may use R-22 or freon. Because of this refrigerant’s harmful environmental effects, it is banned from being used in new systems. 

What Causes Refrigerant Leaks?

If a space is not cooling to the desired temperature, it can signal there is not enough refrigerant in the AC unit – indicating there may be a leak. These leaks are common and can be caused by a variety of issues. However, only HVAC professionals should add refrigerant to the AC to make up for the lost refrigerant from a leak. 

Age can be a factor for an air conditioner with a refrigerant leak. As a unit ages, it can experience wear and tear that causes the refrigerant to leak. Other possible causes of a refrigerant leak could be pinholes in the tubing caused by acids or rust and corrosion that can weaken the metal and cause holes to form.

When Is It Time for Refrigerant Leak Repair?

Property owners need to be able to identify the signs of a refrigerant leak so they can get professional repair quickly and keep their air conditioners working correctly. Some symptoms of refrigerant leaks HVAC technicians suggest watching for are:

• The space is not cooling to the desired temperature
• AC unit runs continuously
• Hissing or gurgling sounds, indicating refrigerant is escaping through a small hole
• Ice on the refrigerant line, or frozen AC coils, which can happen if the refrigerant level gets too low

About Steve’s Refrigeration

Steve’s Refrigeration is a family-owned and operated company serving Pampa and the Texas Panhandle. They provide straightforward pricing, financing, and the latest technology. Call them today for commercial AC refrigerant leak repair in Pampa, TX.

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