How To Recognize a Refrigerant Leak

The refrigerant flowing from the condenser to the evaporator coils is the secret sauce in your air conditioner’s heat transfer process – and it’s a secret because you’re not supposed to see the refrigerant in an air conditioning system in excellent shape.
Unfortunately, HVAC systems can spring leaks in their refrigerant lines which cause the refrigerant to seep out. Low refrigerant levels lead to a long list of potential issues if unaddressed. In this post, we’ll cover how to recognize a refrigerant leak.
Obvious Signs of a Refrigerant Leak
Some of the most common signs of a refrigerant leak include the following:
Inefficient Cooling
One of the clearest signs that you’re dealing with a refrigerant leak is your air conditioning unit suddenly failing to cool your home as well as it used to just a few weeks ago. The reduction in the refrigerant level means the heat exchange process will take forever to complete (if it ever does).
Longer Cooling Cycles
Your HVAC system will run longer cycles as it struggles to reach your desired temperatures without adequate refrigerant levels. The longer cooling cycles also lead to high energy bills.
Ice Formation on Coils or Refrigerant Lines
If there’s any sure tip on how to recognize a refrigerant leak, this is it. While there may be other explanations for some of the signs we’ll mention here, there’s no other explanation for ice formation on coils and refrigerant lines. The ice forms when there’s insufficient refrigerant to absorb heat from your indoor space.
Hissing Sounds
Hissing sounds often occur when refrigerant escapes from tiny holes in the system’s coils or lines. You’re likely to hear this noise around the indoor unit. HVAC systems with refrigerant leaks might also make a jingling noise while running.
Some Less Obvious Signs of a Refrigerant Leak
Some of the less obvious signs of a refrigerant leak include the following:
- High indoor humidity. When the refrigerant levels drop too low, your HVAC system will struggle to dehumidify the air, making your indoor space feel warmer and more uncomfortable.
- Strange smells. Depending on your refrigerant type, a refrigerant leak can produce a sweet chemical smell. This is especially true for leaks around the evaporator coil.
- Oil stains. Have you noticed oil stains around the refrigerant lines or coils? This could point to a refrigerant leak.
Get a Speedy Solution for Your Refrigerant Troubles Today
Do you want to discuss how to recognize a refrigerant leak further? Are you looking for a professional HVAC company to repair the leak in your system and refill your refrigerant?
Call Trademasters Heating & Cooling at (252) 503-2760 to schedule a consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Should I Do After I Spot a Refrigerant Leak?
The first thing you should do after you notice a refrigerant leak is to shut down the HVAC system. The more you keep running a system that is low on refrigerant, the higher the risk of costly or irreparable damage.
What Causes Refrigerant Leaks?
Refrigerant leaks can happen for several reasons ranging from general wear and tear, corrosion of the coils, manufacturing defects, and impact damage.