Is Your AC Unit Losing Its Cooling Capacity? Signs Of Low Refrigerant

A well-maintained air conditioning system should blow cool air throughout the home when you turn it on. So, if yours is not providing a steady supply of cool air, you might have malfunctioning components that need checking. For example, you may have low refrigerant, a common cause of poor AC unit efficiency. If this is the case, you may notice a few telltale signs, such as a hissing unit during operation. Here are the most common indicators that you have low coolant levels.

Icy Buildup on the Coolant Line

If your AC unit is not fully charged, it will experience a pressure drop, resulting in a reduced internal temperature. When this happens, water will freeze, and ice will develop on the coils carrying the coolant. Further, when the evaporator coil freezes, Freon also gets cold and circulates through the unit. Ultimately, the moisture in the air around the coolant line cools and freezes. Therefore, your unit needs extra coolant if you can see ice developing on the Freon tubes.

The Electric Bill Has Gone Up

The cost of sustaining your AC unit shouldn't skyrocket if every component works well and you're using it regularly. However, you will pay higher electric bills when operating a malfunctioning AC unit. For example, insufficient Freon will force your unit to run longer and work harder to meet your desired cooling demands. Ultimately, you will incur additional operational costs seeing the unit will not stop between cooling cycles. So, if you are paying more than you should to run your appliances, call an AC repair expert to check and ensure your unit has sufficient coolant.

The House Is Always Stuffy

Once the inbuilt thermostat detects desired comfort level, the AC unit should turn off. However, if the air conditioner keeps running but fails to provide cool air, a Freon leak could be to blame. Note that in such cases, since the coolant is insufficient, your unit will circulate warm air leading to uncomfortable indoor temperatures. More so, if the issue persists, it may lead to AC unit failure. Therefore, it's vital to check and see if your refrigerant line has a leak and schedule timely repairs.

These are a few signs of low coolant levels in your AC unit. So, consult an AC repair technician about patching the leaks and recharging your system to restore proper cooling and limit the possibility of total system failure.