As the temperatures rise, people rely more heavily on their AC units to keep their homes cool and comfortable. But sometimes, your air conditioning system may fail to provide the desired temperatures and leave you sweating. In such cases, the problem may not necessarily lie with the unit itself. Instead, it might be with the refrigerant that fills the machine.
The refrigerant plays a crucial role in air conditioning units that keeps your space cool. Any issues can drastically impact your AC's performance and leave you with an inefficient or faulty system. This article closely examines three AC refrigerant issues that can affect operational performance.
Refrigerant Leaks
If the refrigerant level is running low or the system is not cooling as it should, you might be dealing with a refrigerant leak. Refrigerant leaks are common and typically occur due to corrosion on internal components or a puncture in the tubing. Corroded sections may create small cracks that can allow the refrigerant to escape.
The refrigerant can also leak through damaged coils or joints. Damaged joints, in particular, can cause extreme refrigerant leaks that can decrease your AC's operational performance. This sudden decrease in refrigerant levels will strain the compressor, resulting in decreased performance and efficiency.
So if you notice that your AC unit isn't cooling your space as it used to, or you hear any unusual hissing sounds, call a professional immediately to identify and fix the leak.
Dirty Coils
Coils help transfer heat from inside your space to the outside and vice-versa. However, the coils become dirty with time and fill with debris, dust, and other particles.
The issue significantly impacts the unit's efficiency, preventing the coils from efficiently exchanging heat with the outside environment. This further limits its cooling capacity and strains the compressor, decreasing operational performance.
To avoid this issue, you should regularly check and clean your AC unit's coils to ensure that it is running at optimal performance. But if cleaning the coils doesn't seem to solve the issue, then it is better to call a technician and have them identify and fix any underlying problems.
Overcharging or Undercharging Refrigerant
An AC unit's ideal amount of refrigerant is specific to each system. When an expert installs a new system, they add the required quantity for the unit's size and rating.
However, gradual changes in the amount of refrigerant in the system can impact its performance. Overcharging the system with too much refrigerant will result in excess pressure on the unit's compressor, leading to decreased performance and even damage to the unit.
On the other hand, undercharging the system will make it work too hard to cool the space, leading to increased energy bills. Your AC unit won't last as long as it should and will still need frequent repairs.
To avoid these issues, you need to hire a professional to inspect the unit and replenish the refrigerant levels as needed. This will ensure that the unit is running at optimum efficiency and improve its longevity.
To learn more, contact an AC repair company near you.
Share26 July 2023
Hi there, I am Nadine Bachmier. I am going to discuss the various ways HVAC contractors can keep the temperatures in your business stable. HVAC contractors focus on maintaining and repairing the air conditioner, furnace, and ductwork used in your building. To keep the heating and cooling system in good shape, contractors may need to replace internal components, clean out channels, or simply perform a full upgrade. I will talk about the tools and techniques used to maintain and repair the equipment in your building. I will also share information about new products as they hit the HVAC market. I hope you will follow along and learn all you can.