Refrigerant is the most vital element in your air conditioner, but most people don’t know how it works. This liquid is what turns hot air cool, and your AC is built with enough to last its entire life. But sometimes, leaks occur, and low refrigerant levels can cause problems that seem inexplicable. Let’s dive into the role of refrigerant in air conditioning and some warning signs that your system is running low.

Refrigerant Isn’t a One-Time Fuel; It’s Recyclable

An air conditioner can have enough refrigerant to last over a decade because the fluid isn’t used up once; it gets repeatedly cycled through your system. Instead of seeing refrigerant like AC fuel, similar to gas in a car, imagine water instead. Refrigerant constantly changes from a liquid to a gas and back again, rather than burning off.

To cool your home, the refrigerant captures heat and evaporates into a gas. It then moves the heat outside, passing through the compressor to the condenser. It then turns back into a liquid before returning to the evaporator coils and repeating the cycle. Your air conditioner doesn’t actually create cold air. It works by removing heat from the air, passing that heat outdoors, and redistributing the cooled air into your home.

There Are Two Main Types of Refrigerant in US Homes

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) phased out the production of the traditional form of refrigerant in 2020. This type, called R-22, is widely known as Freon. Freon is bad for the planet, poses health risks to humans if it leaks, and directly contributes to ozone depletion. Therefore, running an AC that uses Freon directly contributes to environmental pollution.

In an effort to create a cleaner, greener and safer planet, the EPA now requires AC models to use R-410A, R-32, and R-410B. If your HVAC system was built after 2010, it likely uses one of these three.

This matters because the type of refrigerant your system uses affects whether there’s an available supply to fix it. Older models that still use Freon can be harder to repair because R-20 is no longer manufactured; it’s only available in recycled form.

So, if your old unit has a leak, you want to consider the repair-and-refill cost over the investment of a newer system that uses a more stable, readily available refrigerant.

Warning Signs of a Refrigerant Leak

Here are some telltale signs that your air conditioner has a refrigerant leak:

• Warm air coming from the vents
• Ice on evaporator coils
• Hissing or bubbling sounds while operating
• Longer cycles
• Increase in energy bills

Ignoring the signs of a refrigerant leak can have catastrophic consequences on your system. Many homeowners only get help when their AC stops working altogether, and by then, they need a replacement. If you have concerns or require AC repair services, contact Sandium Heating & Air in San Jose, CA.