Refrigerant leak is a silent cause of system breakdown. There are different reasons why the refrigerant in your HVAC system becomes insufficient. If you’re not familiar with them, read below and be informed.
Wear And Tear Due To Constant Use
It is normal in any HVAC system to wear out when constantly used. It affects the functioning of your system and may cause refrigerant leaks. For instance, weary units operate inefficiently and with excess vibrations. This creates extreme movement which may allow refrigerants to find escapes in between the moving components of your system.
Holes, Cracks and Scratches
We cannot prevent our air conditioners from being exposed to harmful chemicals which cause it to rust. Corrosion is a big issue because it weakens the components then causes holes and cracks. These serve as passages for refrigerants to leak out of your system.
Formaldehyde
Formic acid forms from Formaldehyde over a period of time. It is the number one contributor of corrosion inside your system. If formic acid builds up, pinholes can be created in the copper tubes inside your unit. This is an important concern to HVAC manufacturers that’s why they are starting to shift to aluminum components.
What happens when refrigerants leak?
Refrigerants are responsible for cooling the air. Insufficient amount of refrigerants does not only bring chaos to your comfort but to your entire system and the environment. HVAC systems won’t function effectively with inadequate refrigerant content. Your components will operate slowly and at above suggested range to provide a constant cooling. If this continuous, you’ll be faced with high energy bills, costly repairs or worst, you’ll have an early replacement for your entire system. Refrigerants are agonists of the environment. They contribute to ozone depletion and global warming. They can also affect your health when inhaled. So it is a must to get it fixed immediately.
What to do with refrigerant leaks?
The best thing that you can do to solve a leaking refrigerant is to call an HVAC contractor. This is not your typical DIY fixing and requires a more complicated solution. There are technicians who refill the right amount of refrigerants and tell you that it’s fixed, but no. The problem remains unsolved until the leaks are sealed. Be sure to hire only qualified HVAC company such as Kirk Air Conditioning & Heating to solve your HVAC concerns. We guarantee timely and customer-friendly services and recommendations to give you better comfort.