Refrigeration leaks are one of the greatest threats to an air conditioning unit, damaging it physically and posing serious health hazards to homeowners and raising environmental concerns.
Hissing and bubbling noises are telltale indicators of a leak, caused by refrigerant escaping into the atmosphere.
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Clogged air filter
Clogged air filters reduce the supply of fresh, cool air into your home while also recirculating contaminants back into your system and ductwork, potentially damaging components and leading to refrigerant leaks in the long run.
Pollutants such as air pollution can corrode copper coils, creating tiny holes. This can become especially problematic if your home uses volatile organic compounds (VOCs), such as paints, cleaners or air fresheners that release volatile organic compounds such as formic acid vaporizers which then eat away at your coils, eventually leading to leakage and an eventual meltdown of your home infrastructure.
Corrosion
Pipe corrosion can be an expensive and potentially devastating problem that leads to significant water damage. Corrosion occurs when metal is exposed to moisture or other materials which attract electrons; over time, this exposure causes it to lose its natural luster and weaken; this deterioration eventually manifests as pits, cracks or holes in its surface.
Corroded evaporator coils can lead to many issues with your air conditioning unit. If you notice rising energy bills, a non-responsive AC unit, or hissing or bubbling noises near the coil then it’s time to contact a professional service provider immediately.
Light grit emery cloth or acetone can help remove oxidation on pipes, but it’s best to replace affected pipe sections with new ones for severe discoloration. A certified technician can assess your home’s pipes and offer replacement solutions tailored specifically for you.
Additionally, they’ll check water quality to ensure there aren’t any serious problems – saving money and protecting your health by eliminating potentially toxic pipes like lead and copper.
Damaged evaporator coil
Leakage coils can be one of the most dangerous problems with an air conditioning unit, as they can lead to low airflow and require costly repairs or even system replacement.
Preventive maintenance should always be a top priority, including cleaning/replacing air filters regularly, scheduling annual tune-ups with professionals, and monitoring refrigerant levels regularly.
Depending upon the location and severity of a leak, repair may be possible. This involves draining the system using a special machine to extract refrigerant safely in accordance with EPA guidelines before replacing the evaporator coil and refilling it with fresh refrigerant.
However, if the evaporator coil is beyond repair it may be best to opt for replacement instead of repair – as this will save money in the long run and provide better reliability than repairs due to R-22 being phased out and eventually unavailable.
Leaking drain line
Your air conditioning system relies on refrigerant to transfer heat away from your home into the outside air during its cooling cycle, so any shortage can impede heat exchange effectively and lead to serious AC problems.
Over time, pollutants in the air can corrode copper coils over time, creating pinhole leaks in your refrigerant circuit and corrosion inside of your AC system. Due to this vulnerability, most manufacturers now prefer aluminum coils which are less likely to rust.
Coolant leaks may also result from improper installation, normal wear-and-tear or factory defects in an AC unit, and leak sealants containing CFCs which deplete the ozone layer.
Using liquid leak sealants may temporarily stop leaks in refrigerant lines but will require more work from your air conditioning to keep its efficiency at peak level. In such instances, it’s often best to hire an experienced HVAC technician for these types of AC repairs.