Do you need refrigerant leak repair in Sonora, CA? At Performance Based Heating & Air, we take pride in providing our neighbors with expert refrigerant leak repair and replacement services at a fair price. We pride ourselves on providing our customers with honest recommendations and the latest technology in indoor comfort solutions.
Contact us and find out why installing a Trane air conditioner is the best choice for your household.
The Truth About Air Conditioner Refrigerant
While your air conditioner needs refrigerant to work, some of these chemicals are being discontinued. The Environmental Protection Agency works to decrease the number of chemicals harmful to the environment used in appliances like refrigerators and air conditioners. In 1992, they decided that hydrofluorocarbons (HCFCs) would be phased out because of the potential damage they do to the ozone layer.
The chemicals HCFC-22 and R-22, also known as Freon, used to be the primary chemical used in residential AC systems. To better protect the environment, the EPA decided to mandate that these chemicals’ production be discontinued by January of 2020.
While all new AC systems produced since 2010 use the refrigerant called R410A or Puron, some residents still rely on units that use Freon.
You can check which type of refrigerant your AC system uses by looking at the exterior component. If it says R22, it means you’re using outdated and hazardous refrigerants. While the EPA doesn’t require you to upgrade your system right away, if you develop a refrigerant leak, the repair may be more than the unit is worth as the supplies of R22 become harder to get.
If your AC system is an older model, and you need a Freon recharge, call us and let us show you how easy it is to upgrade to a new, more environmentally friendly unit.
How Does AC Refrigerant Work?
Without refrigerant, your air conditioner couldn’t put out cold air, nor could your refrigerator keep your food cold. Refrigerant runs through copper coils inside your AC unit. The refrigerant absorbs the heat from the air inside, transforms it from a low-pressure gas into a high-pressure liquid. Once this happens, the refrigerant travels to the outside unit, where a fan blows hot air over the coils to pull out the heat and sends cool air back into the house.
When your system leaks refrigerant, it not only impacts your AC’s ability to cool your home, it also affects the environment.
Call us to find out about a freon replacement today.
Don’t forget; we also offer expert heating repairs too!
How to Know if You Have an AC Refrigerant Leak
The refrigerant in your air conditioner is constantly under pressure, and the lines the refrigerant flows through break down over time. If the line springs a leak, you must fix it as soon as possible. Here are the most common signs that say you have a refrigerant leak.
- Lack of Cooling – If the air conditioner suddenly fails to keep you cool during the times you need it most, it could be that you have a refrigerant leak.
- High Humidity – Your air conditioner removes humidity as it cools your home, but when you have a refrigerant leak, the system’s ability to dehumidify fails just like its ability to cool.
- Prolonged Cooling Cycles – Your air conditioner maintains proper temperature by cycling on and off. If you notice that it’s taking too long to cool your home, it could be that you are leaking refrigerant.
- Frozen Evaporator Coils – Perhaps the clearest sign that you have a refrigerant leak is when your evaporator coils freeze.
